North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill on Sunday, December 28, 2025, over the West Sea, as reported by state media, amid ongoing weapons tests and preparations for a key party congress in early 2026.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-firing of multiple long-range strategic cruise missiles into the West Sea on Sunday, December 28, 2025, to verify the combat readiness and counter-offensive capabilities of specialised missile sub-units, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Missile Drill Demonstrates Strategic Weapon Capabilities
The launching drill involved long-range missile sub-units and aimed at checking the counter-offensive response posture and combat capability of the forces, ensuring missile soldiers were versed in manoeuvres and firing procedures, while inspecting the reliability of the strategic weapon system, KCNA reported. According to Stars and Stripes, citing KCNA, the missiles were launched into the West Sea or Yellow Sea as part of a readiness drill, with Kim Jong Un personally overseeing the event. Channel News Asia reported that the missiles flew along their predetermined orbit above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula and hit their targets, expressing great satisfaction from Kim with the outcome.
As reported by Anadolu Agency, the exercise took place on Sunday and verified firing procedures, the missiles’ manoeuvrability, and the reliability of a key strategic weapon system, with the missiles striking designated targets after following set trajectories over the West Sea.
Context of Intensified Military and Economic Activities
The cruise missile launch marks the latest in a series of demonstrations of North Korea’s missile capabilities since December 24, 2025, during what is the holiday season in the West, according to South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense as cited by Stars and Stripes. Channel News Asia noted that the event underscores North Korea’s military and economic progress ahead of a key party congress expected in early 2026, following Kim’s observation last week of the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine with his daughter and the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles. KCNA, as reported by multiple outlets including Xinhua and Yeni Safak, described the drill as a practical verification of strategic counterattack capabilities and combat readiness.
Kim Jong Un’s Statements on Nuclear Development
Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the results of the launch, framing regular testing of nuclear deterrent components as a legitimate right to self-defence amid persistent external security threats, according to KCNA reports cited by Anadolu Agency, Channel News Asia, and Yeni Safak. He reaffirmed North Korea’s commitment to devoting all efforts to the unlimited development of its nuclear combat force, as stated in the KCNA report covered by Channel News Asia. ABC News reported that such activities align with North Korea’s focus on expanding its nuclear arsenal since high-stakes diplomacy with former US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.
Broader Regional and International Developments
South Korea’s military detected the multiple cruise missile launches over the weekend, as reported by Stars and Stripes citing the South Korean Ministry of National Defense on Monday, December 29, 2025. Yonhap news agency, cited by Channel News Asia, indicated that North Korea could conduct additional missile tests around New Year’s Day, according to a South Korean military official, though South Korea’s military declined to comment. Hong Min, an expert on North Korea at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, told Channel News Asia that Sunday’s launch likely tested an upgrade to cruise missiles capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons. ABC News noted recent tests including new anti-air missiles off North Korea’s east coast and progress on a developmental nuclear-powered submarine, which North Korea implied would be armed with nuclear missiles, as part of sophisticated weapons systems to counter perceived US-led threats. Experts cited by ABC News suggested that North Korea’s alignment with Russia, including sending troops and equipment to support the war in Ukraine, may have provided crucial technologies in return. In September 2025, Kim suggested a return to talks if the US drops its denuclearisation demands, potentially leveraging an enlarged nuclear arsenal for concessions, according to ABC News.
North Korea has accelerated facility openings, including a paper mill on Sunday, factories, and hotels, to complete its current five-year plan before the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in early 2026, as reported by Channel News Asia citing KCNA. The launches contribute to regional instability in Northeast Asia, with concerns over global non-proliferation efforts shared by the international community, including Türkiye, according to Yeni Safak.
This cruise missile drill, overseen by Kim Jong Un on December 28, 2025, verified key strategic capabilities as part of North Korea’s ongoing military tests and preparations for a pivotal party congress, with state media confirming successful target hits and the leader’s satisfaction.
