North Korea’s Kim oversees test launch of long-range cruise missiles

According to state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the testing of long-range strategic cruise missiles and called for “uninterrupted and sustained” development of his nation’s nuclear combat forces.

Kim expressed satisfaction as the cruise missiles flew past their target, which was located above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula, according to a report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday.

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Kim’s most recent event was the launch, which took place on Sunday, in preparation for a crucial party congress scheduled for early 2026. It was a flurry of activities by the North Korean leader.

A five-year development strategy will be presented at the meeting.

Kim claimed that checking the reliability and quick response of the components of “North Korea’s] nuclear deterrent” on a regular basis was “just a responsible exercise” because the nation “is facing various security threats”. He added that Pyongyang would continue to dedicate “all of their efforts” to the state nuclear combat force’s “unlimited and sustained development,” according to KCNA.

The missile launch site was not specified by KCNA.

The military of South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap reported on Monday that it had been notified that missile launches from the Sunan region close to Pyongyang had been detected.

It warned that North Korea might start conducting additional missile tests by the year’s end.

Kim also inspected a 8,700-tonne “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” that was under construction, according to the KCNA, and issued a warning that South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines “must be countered.”

The submarine’s lower sections were mostly visible in the lower sections of the vessel, which was the first time the state media of North Korea had made them available.

Kim oversaw the testing of long-range surface-to-air missiles while being accompanied by his daughter, who might succeed him, at the Thursday event.

As the nation works to complete its “five-year plan” of development before convening the Workers’ Party of Korea’s ninth Congress in the first half of 2026, Kim has attended numerous facility openings, including factories and hotels, in the last month.

North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test in November, just one week after US President Donald Trump visited the area and expressed interest in meeting with Kim. The offer was rejected by Pyongyang.

Trump had just approved South Korea’s plan to construct a nuclear submarine at the time.

Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state since Kim’s summit with Trump in 2019 abruptly ended due to the devastation and sanctions relief it received.