Seoul, April 30 -- North Korea has conducted its first tests of critical weapons systems on its newly launched destroyer, with leader Kim Jong-un emphasising the urgency of boosting the navy's nuclear capabilities to strengthen the country's maritime forces, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing state media.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the tests took place Monday and Tuesday under Kim's supervision and involved the "combat application" of armaments installed on the new 5,000-ton warship, named Choe Hyon.

The destroyer, described as a multipurpose vessel, was officially launched last Friday. It is equipped with an array of offensive weapons, including supersonic strategic cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles...