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North Korea has tested two strategic cruise missiles as leader Kim Jong Un vowed to continue developing an “unlimited” arsenal of nuclear weapons, according to state media.
The launch involved cruise missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons, according to North Korea’s state-run North Korea Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim promised to “dedicate all their efforts to the unlimited and continuous development of the country’s nuclear force.”
Missiles flew over the country’s west coast for about three hours, KCNA said. It did not say how far the missiles traveled.
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North Korea test-fires cruise missiles. (KCNA via Reuters)
KCNA said the tests were aimed at demonstrating the “combat readiness of the nuclear force” and ensuring that the country is capable of carrying out what it called a “quick and stunning retaliatory strike” in the event of war.
“The launch of the program was a clear warning to enemies who threaten the security of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” KCNA reported, using the country’s official name.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea said that their soldiers received the launch of several missiles at around 08:00 on Sunday in the area of Sunan near Pyongyang.
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A spokesman for South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the launch was part of a series of recent military actions by North Korea “undermining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
North Korea has also recently highlighted what it says is progress on a nuclear-capable submarine program, releasing new photos of Kim inspecting the construction of a shipyard alongside his daughter.
Kim was pictured visiting a large arms depot in a photo released in December 2025. (KCNA via Reuters)
Kim Jong Un tests a nuclear-powered submarine being built at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
The Korean Central News Agency said the ship is an 8,700-ton nuclear-class submarine that Pyongyang intends to equip with nuclear weapons. Kim has described the project as an important step in modernizing North Korea’s navy and nuclear weapons, although the regime has not provided independent verification of the submarine’s capabilities.
Analysts say North Korea has several types of cruise missiles and has conducted several tests over the past year, but there is no direct public estimate of how many the regime has.
Assessments by foreign experts estimate that North Korea has amassed about 50 nuclear warheads, and enough explosive material to produce between 70 and 90 warheads, although the exact numbers remain uncertain due to the secrecy surrounding Pyongyang’s program.
President Donald Trump has said he remains open to talks with North Korea, but Kim has signaled that he will only negotiate with Washington if denuclearization is removed from the program – a situation that underscores the widening gap between the two sides.
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Cruise missiles pose a particular challenge to missile defense systems because they fly at high altitudes and are able to maneuver in flight, making them more difficult to detect than cruise missiles.
North Korea remains under international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs, restrictions which Kim has vowed to overcome through arms development rather than negotiations.
