Amid strengthening bilateral exchanges with China following Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea last June, coal exports appear to have resumed to their previous levels. Concurrently, signatures indicating the construction of a fourth new-class destroyer have been identified at the Chongjin Shipyard. Pursuant to directives from Kim Jong Un, this destroyer is anticipated to have its main gun removed to accommodate strategic cruise missiles, and it is projected to be a larger displacement vessel.