Kim Jong Un Oversees Long-Range Cruise Missile Test Launch

Kim Jong Un Reaffirms Commitment to North Korea's Nuclear Forces

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, oversaw a test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles and has called for the "unlimited and constant" development of the country's nuclear forces, according to state media. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday that Kim expressed satisfaction with the deployment of missiles that flew along a designated trajectory over the sea, west of the Korean Peninsula, and struck the intended target.

The launch, which took place on Sunday, is the latest event attended by Kim, highlighting North Korea's military and economic advancements ahead of an important party congress expected to occur in early 2026. Kim stated that the "verification of the reliability and rapid response of North Korea's nuclear deterrent components... is only a responsible exercise," considering the "various security threats" the country faces.

He also stated that Pyongyang will continue to dedicate "all its efforts to the unlimited and constant development of the state's nuclear defense forces," reported KCNA. The agency did not specify the area from which the missiles were launched. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Monday that the South Korean military detected the launch of several missiles from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning, warning that North Korea could conduct additional missile tests by the end of the year.

Additionally, KCNA reported on Thursday that Kim inspected a "strategic nuclear-powered submarine" with an 8,700-ton capacity that is under construction, warning that South Korea's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines would pose a threat to North Korea's security that "must be countered." This was the first time North Korean state media published images of the submarine since March, mainly showing the lower sections of the vessel. During this event, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, a potential successor, as he oversaw the testing of long-range surface-to-surface missiles.

Kim has participated in multiple facility openings, including factories and hotels, over the past month as the country rushes to finalize its current "five-year plan" of development ahead of the ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea anticipated in early 2026. Last month, North Korea also conducted a ballistic missile test just over a week after former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a visit to the region, expressed interest in meeting with Kim. Pyongyang did not respond to that offer. At that time, Trump had just approved South Korea's plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine. Since the failed denuclearization summit with Trump in 2019, which did not yield results on the issue of denuclearization and sanctions relief, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an "irreversible nuclear state." Kim has been bolstered by Russia's war in Ukraine, gaining critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces.