North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the nation's first 5,000-tonne destroyer, calling for bolstering the naval combat force to "thoroughly" deter and counter the enemy's provocations, state media reported on Monday. 

Kim visited the Choe Hyon destroyer on Sunday, accompanied by key party and government officials, as part of his schedule over a military hardware exhibition, reports Yonhap, quoting the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In April, North Korea unveiled its new 5,000-tonne multipurpose destroyer, named the Choe Hyon, as part of its efforts to enhance its naval power.

During the visit, Kim said "the tremendous ability of our navy should be exercised in the vast ocean to thoroughly deter or counter and punish the enemy's provocations" to defend the nation's sovereignty and its security interests, according to the KCNA.

"He noted that our (Workers') Party would continue its struggle without even a moment's stagnation for the overall and accelerated expansion and growth of the naval combat force defending the core of the national rights," it added.

North Korea earlier said the Choe Hyon destroyer is equipped with supersonic strategic cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and other strike means.