North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood in front of the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang, showcasing 250 new multiple rocket launchers ahead of the 9th Workers’ Party Congress. Although the congress has yet to begin, analysts suggested on Thursday that this display signals a significant focus on North Korea’s new defense enhancement plans during the upcoming event.
The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that a ceremony for the presentation of 600mm large-caliber multiple rocket launchers took place in Pyongyang on Wednesday. While the newspaper described the event as a presentation ceremony where the military industrial workers offered the new weapons to the 9th Congress, it effectively served as a platform for reporting the mass production of new weaponry to Kim.
The newspaper released photos showing a total of 50 transporter erector launchers (TELs), each carrying five 600mm rocket launchers, lined up in front of the April 25 House of Culture. This display amounted to 250 rocket launchers positioned before the venue of the 9th Party Congress.
In his address, Kim declared that it has successfully merged the precision and power of tactical ballistic missiles with the rapid-fire capabilities of rocket launchers, creating the world’s most formidable strike weapon. He further stated that this weapon system is suitable for special attacks, implying its capacity to fulfill strategic missions. It also incorporates artificial intelligence and a sophisticated guidance system.
The term rapid-fire refers to the ability to concentrate devastating firepower on a specific area. Moreover, special attacks and strategic missions are typically North Korean euphemisms for nuclear strikes. Kim’s remarks suggest that North Korea has established mass production capabilities for the 600mm large-caliber rocket launchers, which could potentially be armed with nuclear warheads if deemed necessary.
Kim emphasized that it is an irrefutable principle that the most potent offensive capability serves as the most reliable deterrent. He added that it will continue to showcase the defense technology achievements, which will cause significant anxiety among the geopolitical adversaries.
He also announced that the party’s 9th Congress will outline the next phase of the self-defense development based on these accomplishments, hinting at the establishment of further threatening defense enhancement plans aimed at South Korea during the congress.
North Korea conducted a test launch of this rocket launcher on January 27, with the range estimated at approximately 350 km (about 217 miles). Given that it was a test, experts anticipate the actual maximum range to exceed 400 km (about 248 miles), effectively placing the entire territory of South Korea within striking distance.
During last month’s test launch, Kim revealed that this rocket launcher is equipped with a precision-guided flight system capable of overcoming any external interference. This statement aims to demonstrate North Korea’s possession of advanced technology that can penetrate both South Korean and U.S. air defense systems. It implies that North Korea has targeted key military headquarters in South Korea, as well as U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) joint air forces and strategic assets. Military analysts believe that using tactical nuclear warheads could potentially devastate major air facilities in South Korea with a single volley of five rockets.
The unveiling of this rocket launcher system ahead of the party congress aligns with North Korea’s anticipated strategy of pursuing parallel development of nuclear and conventional military capabilities. Pyongyang has announced its intention to reveal a strategy for strengthening both nuclear and conventional weapons at this congress. As Kim mentioned in his speech, the ability to mount both nuclear and conventional warheads on this rocket launcher system symbolizes North Korea’s current strategic direction.
Kim remarked that he cannot disclose the operational principles and methods of this weapon system, which is interpreted as an attempt to maintain strategic ambiguity and limit U.S. and South Korean response options.
Furthermore, this display suggests that North Korea is unlikely to soften its hostile stance toward South Korea during the congress. While Seoul has proposed restoring the September 19 military agreement as part of addressing inter-Korean relations, this event indicates that such matters may not be a priority for Pyongyang.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, stated that by showcasing features such as concentrated firepower, dual-use nuclear and conventional capabilities, and the ability to overwhelm defense systems, this weapon system appears designed to assert dominance over South Korea and symbolically display deterrent power against the U.S. He added that Kim personally inspecting the rocket launchers underscores his confidence in this weapon system and highlights his leadership in national defense matters.