North Korea leader Kim Jong Un is expected to announce new measures to strengthen the country’s nuclear capabilities at an upcoming meeting of the ruling party, according to state media.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday that Kim will use the gathering to lay out plans for expanding and modernising North Korea’s nuclear forces, following a fresh round of missile tests that have heightened regional tensions.
Missile Tests Precede Announcement
The announcement comes a day after Kim supervised another weapons test, part of a continuing series aimed at advancing missile production. During the test, Kim ordered further expansion and technological upgrades to missile manufacturing.
KCNA said details of the planned nuclear build-up will be revealed at the ninth congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. It will be the party’s first such meeting since 2021.
At the congress, party officials are expected to introduce a new five-year plan covering defence and economic development.
Claims of Enhanced Deterrence
Kim described Tuesday’s test of a large-calibre multiple rocket launcher system as highly significant, saying it demonstrated improvements to what he called the country’s “strategic deterrent”.
According to KCNA, Kim said the system had proven capable of carrying out “specific attacks” and warned that the results would cause “excruciating mental agony” for North Korea’s adversaries.
The state media outlet reported that the rockets struck a target in waters approximately 358.5km (222.7 miles) away.
Regional Reactions to Launches
The missiles were fired toward the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. Japan’s Jiji Press, citing defence officials, reported that two of the projectiles landed outside North Korea’s exclusive economic zone.
South Korea’s military said it detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched from areas north of Pyongyang toward the same waters.
Analysts Note Possible Technological Advances
Military analysts quoted by Yonhap News Agency suggested that Kim’s reference to a “self-steered precision-guided flight system” could point to the use of a new navigation technology designed to counter GPS jamming.
Images released after the test showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as well as senior officials including Kim Jong-sik, a high-ranking party official, and Jang Chang-ha, head of the Missile Administration.
Acknowledging Challenges, Emphasising Progress
While conceding that development of the rocket launcher system had faced difficulties, Kim said the latest test represented a major step forward in reinforcing North Korea’s deterrence capabilities.
The upcoming party congress is expected to further clarify Pyongyang’s military priorities as tensions continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula.