North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed his country’s navy to enhance its nuclear deterrence capabilities. According to a report published by state media on Saturday, Kim issued the order while overseeing a naval operation test aboard the warship Kang Kon. The directive comes just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to North Korea from June 8 to 9, jointly announced by Beijing and Pyongyang.

Kim emphasized that the navy must quickly become a reliable component of the nation’s nuclear deterrence system, capable of delivering “deadly strikes” both above and below water. Strengthening naval power is one of the main goals of the ruling party’s current five-year defense development plan. State media photos showed Kim accompanied by senior military and government officials, as well as his daughter Ju Ae.

The report also recalled that Kim had previously supervised the failed launch of the Kang Kon destroyer in May last year, which was later repaired and relaunched. Analysts cited in the report noted that Kim’s ties with Russia have deepened amid the Ukraine war, bolstering his international standing.