North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile launches

SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles on Dec 28, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Dec 29.

The launch was the latest event attended by Mr Kim in a flurry of activity by him to underscore the country’s military and economic progress before a key party congress expected to be held in early 2026.

On Dec 28, he expressed “great satisfaction” as the cruise missiles flew along their orbit set above the sea west of the Korean peninsula and hit their target, KCNA said. 

Mr Kim said “checking the reliability and rapid response of the components of the DPRK’s nuclear deterrent on a regular basis... (is) just a responsible exercise”, as the country “is facing various security threats”, using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. 

He affirmed that North Korea would keep devoting all its efforts to developing its nuclear combat force, KCNA added. 

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Dec 29 that its military detected the launch of multiple cruise missiles around 8am on Dec 28 from the Sunan area near Pyongyang.

The Dec 29 launch followed KCNA’s report last week that Mr Kim observed

construction of a nuclear-powered submarine

with his daughter, a possible successor, and oversaw the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.

North Korea could conduct additional missile tests around New Year’s Day, Yonhap News Agency said, citing a South Korean military official.

Mr Kim also attended the opening ceremony of a paper mill on Dec 28, KCNA said.

Over the past month, he has attended multiple openings of facilities, including factories and hotels, as the country races to wrap up its current “five-year plan” of development before convening the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea in early 2026. REUTERS