North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to further bolster the country’s nuclear arsenal and develop new strategic weapons. He also called for an increase in weapon systems targeting South Korea.
On Thursday, the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that during the 9th Workers’ Party Congress, Kim declared that it will fight more boldly to continuously strengthen and develop the self-defensive national defense capabilities, which are the cornerstone of the nation’s existence.
Nuclear–Conventional Parallel Strategy Formalized… Strategic Nukes for U.S., Mass Bombardment for South Korea
Kim stated that it has annual plans to strengthen the national nuclear capabilities, increasing our nuclear arsenal and expanding the deployment options. He indicated that North Korea would ramp up production of nuclear weapons and diversify their types.
He added that it will develop new supplementary strike capabilities and operational support systems to enhance the military utility of the various nuclear weapons, in line with the improved capabilities and future objectives. This suggests ongoing development of complementary systems for more effective nuclear weapon utilization.
This aligns with North Korea’s newly announced strategy of pursuing both nuclear and conventional forces, as revealed during the party congress. The approach appears to involve overwhelming South Korea with advanced conventional weapons while targeting the U.S. mainland and strategic assets with nuclear weapons.
Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim unveiled plans for developing more powerful ground and submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) systems. Analysts expect North Korea to enhance its existing ICBM capabilities to increase their tactical and strategic effectiveness.
Targeting South Korea specifically, Kim announced plans to incrementally deploy 600mm multiple rocket launchers, new 240mm rocket systems, and an operational tactical missile complex. This suggests a strategy to field tactical nuclear missiles, likely based on large-caliber rocket launchers capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Kim stated that by significantly increasing the density and persistence of the concentrated attacks, it will further strengthen the war deterrence capabilities. The term concentrated attack refers to devastating a specific area with focused firepower.
However, Kim noted that its adversaries are unaware of the plans and calculations. They cannot and should not know, adding that this uncertainty creates inescapable anxiety and fear for them, thus maintaining strategic ambiguity.
Kim also highlighted specific areas needing enhancement.
Rodong Sinmun reported that he emphasized rapidly and continuously upgrading naval operational capabilities, particularly focusing on nuclear armament of surface and submarine forces. This appears linked to North Korea’s construction of a nuclear missile-launching submarine in 2023 and its recent announcement of building its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Kim further stressed the need to quickly fortify the southern border with South Korea and reinforce surveillance and firepower systems, underscoring the party’s military strategic directive.
Plans Strategic Weapons Based on Combat Experience… Suggests Continued Nuclear Provocations
The party’s Central Military Commission outlined major tasks for a new five-year defense development plan (2026-2030), including the deployment of new covert weapons and special strategic assets.
Kim detailed that these tasks would include various artificial intelligence (AI) powered unmanned attack systems, special assets to target enemy satellites, powerful electronic warfare systems to disable enemy command centers, and advanced reconnaissance satellites.
This reflects North Korea’s adjustments to its weapons systems based on combat experience gained from its involvement in the Ukraine conflict. U.S. intelligence agencies recently informed Congress that North Korea has established a specialized drone unit and significantly improved the accuracy of its short-range ballistic missiles since the war’s onset.
Kim reaffirmed that North Korea’s status as a nuclear power is now enshrined in its constitution and vowed to maintain and advance this position.
He declared that the party has overcome all obstacles to establish the nuclear force construction policy, firmly declaring the status as a nuclear power in law. It must respond with nuclear force to imperialist nuclear threats. Kim expressed satisfaction with the current nuclear capability enhancement, stating that the nuclear development strategy is being executed precisely and yielding very satisfactory results.
Kim added that continuously testing and demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent is itself a responsible exercise of war prevention. This suggests North Korea will continue military provocations involving nuclear weapons. He emphasized that the enemy must understand the capability for devastating retaliation if they dare to take military action against them.
Kim boasted that the technological capabilities of our nuclear forces have evolved continuously, highlighting that more sophisticated nuclear weapon systems now enable various nuclear response operations, which he called a significant achievement.
Referencing the nuclear trigger integrated crisis response system established in 2023, Kim stated that through operational testing and exercises to master nuclear weapon handling and procedures, it will enhance the nuclear combat readiness, ensuring the nuclear shield can be activated swiftly and accurately in any situation.