Pyongyang, North Korea | December ,27,2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has signaled that Pyongyang will continue developing its missile capabilities over the next five years after inspecting several major munitions enterprises, according to state media outlet KCNA.
The inspections, conducted in late 2025, focused on weapons production facilities central to North Korea’s defense industry. KCNA reported that Kim emphasized self-reliance in military technology, calling for accelerated innovation and expanded production capacity to strengthen national defense.
While no new missile systems were specifically announced, the directive aligns with North Korea’s ongoing pursuit of ballistic and hypersonic missile technologies, which have drawn increasing attention from regional and global powers. Analysts note that Pyongyang’s strategy appears aimed at reinforcing deterrence amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of evolving global arms dynamics, including reports of hypersonic missile deployments by Russia and intensified military coordination among the United States and its regional allies. North Korea’s continued weapons development is expected to raise concerns in South Korea and Japan, both of which closely monitor Pyongyang’s military activities.
Kim’s remarks also underscore the challenges facing U.S.-led denuclearization efforts, which have stalled amid repeated missile tests and shifting security priorities in Northeast Asia.
KCNA framed the inspections as part of a broader plan to modernize North Korea’s armed forces, portraying missile development as a defensive necessity in response to what Pyongyang describes as external threats.
