North Korean leader oversees test launch of long-range cruise missiles
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles and called for the “unlimited and sustained” development of his country’s deterrent nuclear defense forces.
The launch of the missiles, which took place at a confidential site on Sunday, was the latest test launch attended by Kim, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The North Korean leader expressed satisfaction as the cruise missiles flew along their orbit, set above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula, and hit their target.
He stressed that the country “is facing various security threats,” adding, “Checking the reliability and rapid response of the components of [North Korea’s] nuclear deterrent on a regular basis … [is] just a responsible exercise.”
Pyongyang will keep devoting “all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force,” he added.
Yonhap news agency reported on Monday that South Korea’s military confirmed the launch of multiple missiles from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning.
Separately, the KCNA reported on Thursday that Kim also inspected an 8,700-tonne “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” under construction and warned that South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines will be a threat to North Korea’s security that “must be countered.”
Last November, North Korea also staged a ballistic missile test, just more than a week after United States President Donald Trump, on a tour of the region, expressed interest in meeting with Kim. Pyongyang did not respond to the offer.
At that time, Trump had just approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine.
Since Kim’s 2019 summit with Trump collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state.
The latest development comes ahead of a key party congress expected to be held in early 2026.
The meeting will set a development plan for North Korea for the next five years.
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North Korea test launches long-range cruise missiles
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