North Korea Test-Fires Cruise Missiles as Kim Jong Un Vows ‘Unlimited’ Nuclear Development
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea conducted a significant test of its strategic capabilities on Sunday, launching two cruise missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads, as leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to “unlimited” nuclear development. The launches, which lasted close to three hours, underscore Pyongyang’s ongoing efforts to bolster its military deterrence amid heightened regional and global tensions.
According to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the cruise missiles flew over the country’s west coast during drills intended to demonstrate the “combat readiness of the nuclear deterrence force.” KCNA emphasized that the exercises were meant to ensure the regime’s ability to execute a “swift and overwhelming retaliatory strike” in the event of war, describing the launch as a “clear warning to the enemies who are seriously threatening the security environment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.” The missiles were reportedly launched from the Sunan area near Pyongyang.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the detection of multiple missile launches around 8 a.m. local time, noting that the activity is part of a series of recent military provocations by North Korea that undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. A spokesperson for South Korea’s Defense Ministry condemned the launches as a destabilizing act.
Kim Jong Un’s pledge to “devote all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force” comes amid Pyongyang’s broader push to modernize its military capabilities. In December 2025, Kim was photographed inspecting an 8,700-ton-class nuclear-powered submarine under construction, a vessel Pyongyang intends to arm with nuclear weapons. The Korean Central News Agency described the submarine program as a key step in enhancing the regime’s naval nuclear deterrent, though independent verification of the submarine’s capabilities remains unavailable.
Experts estimate that North Korea possesses roughly 50 nuclear warheads, with fissile material sufficient to produce between 70 and 90 weapons, though exact figures are difficult to confirm due to the regime’s secrecy. The country has tested multiple types of cruise missiles over the past year, but public assessments vary on the total number of operational missiles.
President Donald Trump has expressed openness to negotiations with North Korea, including the possibility of meeting with Kim Jong Un during an upcoming Asia trip. Trump has acknowledged North Korea as “sort of a nuclear power,” signaling a pragmatic approach to engagement despite the recent missile tests.
The ongoing developments highlight the complex security challenges facing the region. The U.S. Department of Defense continues to monitor North Korea’s missile activities closely, while the U.S. Department of State emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff maintain heightened alertness to potential provocations.
North Korea’s missile launches and nuclear ambitions remain a focal point of international concern, with the United Nations Security Council considering responses to Pyongyang’s continued violations of sanctions. The UN Security Council has repeatedly condemned North Korea’s weapons tests and urged restraint to avoid escalating tensions.
As North Korea advances its military programs, the prospects for renewed diplomacy and regional stability remain uncertain, with the international community watching closely for further developments.
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