In a new escalation that further heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the official unveiling of a new system of massive multiple rocket launchers, which Pyongyang described as capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, putting all of South Korea within range.
Details of the new missile system
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ceremony Wednesday unveiling new 600mm , the official KCNA news agency reported Thursday. Kim described the system as “unique in the world,” asserting it was designed for “special attack,” a term Pyongyang typically uses to refer to tactical nuclear capabilities. He stated that these weapons would play a crucial strategic role in the event of a conflict.
Context of tension and development of the nuclear arsenal
This unveiling is not an isolated event, but rather part of an accelerated series of weapons tests conducted by North Korea since the beginning of this year. Pyongyang is actively seeking to diversify its delivery systems for nuclear warheads, and the 600mm multiple launch rocket system (known to military analysts as the KN-25) poses a significant challenge to air defenses, given its ability to launch a barrage of rockets that mimic the trajectory of short-range ballistic missiles.
Strategic shift in military doctrine
This event takes on particular significance given the radical shifts in North Korean policy. Kim Jong-un recently declared South Korea his country’s “main enemy,” abandoning decades of policies that, at least in theory, aimed at peaceful reunification. Observers believe that the deployment of these bombers, capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, signals the adoption of a more offensive military doctrine, one that seeks to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in combat.
Regional and international repercussions
This development is causing serious concern in Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo, as it coincides with joint US-South Korean military exercises, which Pyongyang views as a rehearsal for invasion. Experts believe North Korea is attempting, through these military displays, to strengthen its negotiating position and demonstrate its ability to launch devastating strikes against South Korean military bases and command centers, thus complicating security calculations across East Asia.
