Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles and called for the unlimited and sustained development of the country’s nuclear combat forces, state media reported.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim expressed satisfaction after observing the missiles fly along a designated orbit over waters west of the Korean Peninsula before accurately striking their target. The launch took place, although KCNA did not disclose the exact launch location.
The missile test comes amid a flurry of high-profile public activities by Kim, as Pyongyang seeks to showcase military strength and economic progress ahead of a key congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea expected in early 2026. The meeting is set to outline North Korea’s next five-year development plan.
KCNA quoted Kim as saying that regularly verifying the reliability and rapid response of the country’s nuclear deterrent was a ‘responsible exercise’ in light of what he described as ongoing security threats. Kim Jong Un reaffirmed that North Korea would continue devoting all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force.
South Korean authorities warned that further missile tests could take place before the end of the year. In a separate report last week, KCNA said Kim inspected an 8,700-tonne nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine under construction, warning that South Korea’s plans to build nuclear-powered submarines posed a security threat that must be countered. It marked the first time North Korean state media had released images of the submarine since March, when coverage was limited to its lower sections.
During the inspection, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, widely viewed by analysts as a possible successor. Kim also oversaw the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Over the past month, Kim has attended multiple openings of factories, hotels and other facilities as North Korea works to conclude its current five-year development plan ahead of the ninth party congress.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have remained high since a ballistic missile test last November, conducted shortly after US President Donald Trump expressed interest in meeting Kim during a regional tour. Pyongyang did not respond to the overture, which came shortly after Washington approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine.
Since the collapse of Kim’s 2019 summit with Trump over denuclearisation and sanctions relief, North Korea has repeatedly declared itself an irreversible nuclear state. Kim has since strengthened ties with Russia, securing support from Moscow after sending thousands of North Korean troops to fight alongside Russian forces in the war in Ukraine.
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