Kim Jong-un plans to build 'aircraft carrier killer'

North Korea is planning to develop a missile capable of destroying aircraft carriers, as the US prepares to send a third aircraft carrier to the peninsula.

On May 29, Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the test of a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system. The North Korean leader also warned that he would send a "bigger gift package" to the US.

North Korea wants to build anti-ship missiles as the US sends many warships to the peninsula. Photo: Reuters/Express

Pyongyang, which is believed to have made great strides in weapons development, has been testing missiles continuously for the past three weeks. Kim Jong-un is believed to be using this tactic to warn the US, which currently has two aircraft carriers, the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan, operating in the region to show off its power.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said Pyongyang is now pursuing the development of anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs), nicknamed "carrier killers," to defend itself against enemy warships.

North Korea is believed to have mastered intercontinental ballistic missile technology to increase the accuracy of its missiles. The launch on May 29 was considered a major step towards this goal.

Praising the successful launch, Mr. Kim Jong-un declared that North Korea "will take a bigger step" in developing the effectiveness of strategic weapons.

US President Donald Trump condemned the development, saying North Korea "disrespected" its neighbor China.

Meanwhile, the third US aircraft carrier, USS Nimitz, is believed to be heading to the western Pacific to join the fleet, including two aircraft carriers, USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan, already present in the area.

Amid escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, on the evening of May 30, the US successfully test-fired an interceptor missile capable of destroying intercontinental ballistic missiles.

According to the New York Post, the test took place in the Pacific Ocean and is considered an important event for the US defense program against the growing threat from North Korea.

According to Vietnamnet.vn