North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of multiple long-range strategic cruise missiles on Sunday, according to state media outlet KCNA.
The test, conducted from the Sunan area near Pyongyang at approximately 8 a.m., was designed to verify the "integrity" and "rapid response" of the nation’s nuclear deterrent amid what Kim described as escalating security threats.
The missiles flew over the sea west of the Korean Peninsula before hitting their targets. Experts suggest the test likely involved upgraded systems capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.
This launch is part of a broader surge in military demonstrations. Just last week, Kim observed the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine alongside his daughter and supervised the testing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Kim characterized these regular tests as a "responsible exercise" of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and pledged the "unlimited" development of the country's nuclear combat forces.
Beyond military hardware, Kim is actively promoting economic progress ahead of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in early 2026.4 On the same day as the launch, he attended the opening of a paper mill, marking the completion of several industrial and hospitality projects under the current "five-year plan."
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the activities, stating they "undermine peace and stability." Military officials in Seoul warned that further missile tests could occur around the New Year's holiday.
