North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the navy to construct a 10,000-tonne destroyer and develop secret underwater weapons, state media reported Saturday. The directive comes ahead of an anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, signaling a potential effort to showcase the nation's military advancements.

Kim supervised naval tests on Thursday, inspecting the 5,000-tonne destroyer Kang Kon and observing another warship, the Choe Hyon, according to the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper. This is the first time North Korea has publicly announced plans to build a destroyer of this size, according to analysts.

The Kang Kon itself has a recent history of setbacks, having partially capsized during its launch ceremony last year. Following repairs, a second launch ceremony was held, and the vessel was subsequently named. Kim had previously condemned the initial accident as a "criminal act".

Analysts suggest Kim may be aiming to demonstrate North Korea's growing military capabilities to China's Xi Jinping, its closest ally. The visit by Xi, scheduled for June 8-9, marks his second trip to Pyongyang in seven years and occurs amid deepening ties between North Korea and Russia.

Kim emphasized the need for the navy to enhance its capabilities to deter nuclear attacks, calling for robust military strength across land, sea, and air. This naval directive follows Kim's recent call for an "exponential" expansion of the country's atomic arsenal during a visit to a nuclear material production facility.

During the naval inspection, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, believed to be Ju Ae, according to state media photographs. The presence of his daughter at such high-profile military events has drawn international attention.

Hong Min, a senior analyst at South Korea’s Institute for National Unification, noted that the mention of a 10,000-tonne destroyer is unprecedented. He speculated that this initiative could be a strategic move to impress Xi Jinping and underscore North Korea's commitment to modernizing its naval forces.

The development of secret underwater weapons also signals a focus on asymmetric capabilities, potentially aimed at countering perceived threats or projecting power in regional waters. The specifics of these weapons remain undisclosed, adding an element of strategic ambiguity.