PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled dozens of upgraded, nuclear-capable rocket launchers in a grand ceremony, signaling a major military escalation just days before the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party convenes for its most significant political event in five years.
Standing before rows of 50 new 600mm-caliber multiple rocket launchers parked at Pyongyang’s April 25 House of Culture—the confirmed venue for the upcoming 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party—Kim hailed the weaponry as “wonderful” and “attractive.” He described the system as the “world’s most advantageous weapon for concentrated super-powerful attack,” emphasizing its role in the country’s strategic nuclear mission.
“When this weapon is used, actually, no force would be able to expect God’s protection,” Kim said, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
A Technological Leap in Artillery
The newly presented launchers represent a significant upgrade over previous models. Analysts noted that the vehicles now feature five launch tubes on a four-axle chassis, an increase from the four tubes seen in earlier iterations. Kim claimed the weapons incorporate AI technology and compound guidance systems, effectively blurring the line between traditional artillery and high-precision tactical ballistic missiles.
With an estimated range of 400 kilometers (250 miles), the 600mm rockets are capable of striking any target within South Korea, including major joint U.S.-South Korean airbases.
“Its primary purpose is to neutralize the combined air power of South Korea and the United States,” said Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. “If equipped with tactical nuclear warheads, a single battery firing four to five rounds could devastate an entire airbase.”
Tensions High Ahead of 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party
The display serves as a high-stakes curtain-raiser for the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, where Kim is expected to declare the “next phase” of his self-reliant defense initiative. The gathering will lay out North Korea’s foreign policy, war planning, and nuclear ambitions for the next five years.
The military show of force comes despite a recent diplomatic olive branch from Seoul. Earlier this week, South Korea’s Unification Minister, Chung Dong-young, issued a rare formal apology regarding alleged civilian drone incursions into North Korean airspace.
While Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, acknowledged the apology as “sensible,” she remained defiant, warning that Pyongyang is bolstering border security against the “enemy” and that any future violations would meet a “terrible response.”
Regional Response
The South Korean military and the U.S. are closely monitoring the situation. While Seoul has proposed partially restoring the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement—including no-fly zones—to prevent accidental clashes, Kim’s latest display suggests Pyongyang is more focused on demonstrating “absolute power” ahead of the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party than returning to the negotiating table.
As delegates continue to arrive in Pyongyang for the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, the international community remains on high alert for further weapons tests or policy shifts that could redefine the security landscape of the Korean Peninsula for years to come.
