Recent analysis suggests that North Korea continued its efforts to develop missiles and space launch vehicles while enhancing its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities during the third quarter of 2025. Intelligence reports indicate that Pyongyang may be elevating chemical weapons (CW) to strategic status, potentially broadening its WMD arsenal beyond nuclear arms to include chemical and biological agents, as reported on Friday.
The North Korea watchdog 38 North, in its latest quarterly assessment, revealed that North Korea has accelerated the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), including the Hwasong-20. The report highlighted the construction of a new large-scale dock at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, which could facilitate the transport of oversized cargo or launch vehicles that are typically difficult to move by rail.
According to the report, the trends observed in Q3 underscore North Korea’s ongoing commitment to bolstering its ballistic missile and space launch capabilities, confirming years of WMD development. It further suggested that new solid-fuel strategic missiles may be on the horizon and that the regime might be intensifying preparations for advanced space launch vehicle development.
The report also cited unconfirmed intelligence pointing to internal moves within North Korea to elevate chemical weapons to strategic status. While these reports remain unverified, they could indicate Pyongyang’s intent to diversify its WMD arsenal beyond nuclear capabilities.
This aligns with a July report from Daily NK, another North Korea-focused outlet, which quoted a senior source claiming that the regime now regards chemical weapons as a strategic deterrent and has exponentially expanded related research, development, and production systems.
The source claimed that they have successfully test-launched ballistic missiles armed with chemical warheads, and added that preparations were underway to deploy chemical weapons to frontline units.
This expansion of North Korea’s WMD portfolio represents a significant shift, potentially adding chemical weapons to its existing nuclear and ballistic missile threats. If Pyongyang accelerates its chemical weapons program, it could establish a three-pronged threat matrix that integrates nuclear, missile, and chemical capabilities alongside advanced space and missile technology.
Analysts warn of a two-phase threat evolution: an initial, near-term simultaneous enhancement of nuclear and ICBM capabilities, followed by the longer-term development of integrated chemical weapons and space systems.
The report concludes that, while the exact sequencing or integration of North Korea’s conventional, chemical, and nuclear operations remains unclear, the addition of chemical weapons will undoubtedly expand Pyongyang’s military options and further complicate allied defense planning and strategies.