Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the test launch cruise missile state media in Pyongyang announced Monday, in a new escalation aimed at showcasing the nuclear-armed nation's growing military capabilities. The missile test took place on Sunday, during which Kim delivered a strongly worded message regarding the need for the "unlimited and sustained" development of his country's nuclear force.
Details of the maneuver and strategic messages
The Korean Central News Agency reported that the test involved launching missiles into the sea, with the aim of reviewing the "counter-offensive response posture" and verifying the combat readiness of units responsible for long-range missiles. This test, the first of its kind since early November, indicates that Pyongyang is continuing its weapons development program despite international pressure.
For its part, the South Korean army, via the Yonhap news agency, confirmed the detection of several missile launches from the Sunan area near the capital Pyongyang, which confirms the accuracy of intelligence information about the ongoing military activity in the North.
Significance of cruise missiles at the current time
Cruise missile testing differs from ballistic missile testing in terms of military tactics. While ballistic missiles fly in high-altitude, arc-shaped trajectories, cruise missiles are characterized by their low-altitude flight and high maneuverability, enabling them to evade radar and air defense systems. Military experts believe that Kim Jong-un's focus on this type of weapon reflects a desire to possess precision-strike capabilities that can penetrate regional defenses and send a direct deterrent message to the United States and its allies in the region.
Regional tensions and the international context
This test comes amid a tense regional context, marked by reports of reciprocal political and military moves. North Korea conducted a ballistic missile test on November 6, coinciding with reports of former US President Donald Trump's interest in meeting with Kim Jong Un and his tacit approval of South Korea's ambitions to build nuclear-powered submarines. Such moves by Seoul and Washington often provoke a hostile response from Pyongyang, which views any military buildup in the South as a direct threat to its national security.
Relations with Russia and the future of negotiations
In a related context, analysts link the intensification of missile tests to the growing rapprochement between Pyongyang and Moscow. It is estimated that some of these tests may be aimed at testing weapons before their potential export to Russia, given the increasing military cooperation between the two countries. Since the failure of the Hanoi summit in 2019, North Korea has adopted a hardline stance, categorically stating that it will not abandon its nuclear arsenal but will instead work to enhance it both quantitatively and qualitatively to counter what it describes as American hostility.
