Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles, which confirmed the integrity of its nuclear power and counter-attack readiness in the face of security threats, state media KCNA said.
Sunday’s launch is the latest event attended by the North Korean leader in a flurry of activity to underscore the country’s military and economic progress before a key ruling party congress expected to be held in early 2026.
Kim expressed “great satisfaction” as the cruise missiles flew along their orbit above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula and hit their target, KCNA said yesterday.
Kim said “checking the reliability and rapid response of the components of the DPRK’s nuclear deterrent on a regular basis ... (is) just a responsible exercise,” as the country “is facing various security threats,” using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Kim affirmed that North Korea would keep devoting all its efforts to the “unlimited” development of its nuclear combat force, KCNA said.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday its military had detected the launch of multiple cruise missiles around 8am local time on Sunday from the Sunan area near Pyongyang.
A series of military activities by the North in the past week including ongoing work to build a nuclear-powered submarine are “activities that undermine peace and stability on the Korean peninsula,” a South Korean defence ministry spokesperson said.
The launch follows KCNA’s report last week that Kim had observed construction of a nuclear-powered submarine with his daughter and oversaw the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles. — Reuters
