SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles on Sunday, an exercise that demonstrated the reliability of the country’s nuclear capability and its readiness to carry out counterattacks amid perceived security threats, state media KCNA reported on Monday.
The launch is part of a series of public appearances by Kim aimed at highlighting North Korea’s military strength and economic achievements ahead of a major ruling party congress scheduled for early 2026.
According to KCNA, Kim expressed “great satisfaction” as the cruise missiles followed their flight path over waters west of the Korean Peninsula and successfully struck their targets.
Kim stated that “checking the reliability and rapid response of the components of the DPRK’s nuclear deterrent on a regular basis … (is) just a responsible exercise,” noting that the country “is facing various security threats,” using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
He also reiterated that North Korea would continue to commit all its efforts to the “unlimited” expansion of its nuclear combat forces, KCNA said.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Monday that its military detected the launch of several cruise missiles at around 8 a.m. on Sunday (2300 GMT Saturday) from the Sunan area near Pyongyang.
A South Korean defence ministry spokesperson said that a string of recent military actions by the North, including ongoing efforts to construct a nuclear-powered submarine, are “activities that undermine peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.”
Sunday’s missile launch followed a KCNA report last week stating that Kim had inspected the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine alongside his daughter, viewed by some as a potential successor, and had overseen the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.
North Korea may carry out additional missile tests around New Year’s Day, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a South Korean military official. South Korea’s military declined to comment on the likelihood of further launches.
Hong Min, a North Korea expert at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said Sunday’s launch was likely intended to test an upgraded cruise missile system capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
KCNA also reported that Kim attended the opening ceremony of a paper mill on Sunday.
Over the past month, Kim has been present at several inauguration events for new facilities, including factories and hotels, as the country works to complete its current “five-year plan” ahead of the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea in early 2026.
