Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, said the country’s new destroyer would be part of a nuclear response system and could deliver “destructive retaliatory strikes.”

The state news agency KCNA reported this on Monday, but did not say whether the vessel carries nuclear weapons.

Speaking at a ceremony to deploy the “Kang Kun” destroyer at the port of Wonsan, Kim said deploying the ship in the East Sea off the Korean Peninsula sends a clear message to enemies. He added: “The time has come to assert our sovereignty in the sea and underwater.”

Kim promised to showcase a new phase of strengthening the navy within eight months.