Kim Jong Un Shows Off 50 New Missile Launchers Before Key Party Meeting

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un displayed 50 new nuclear-capable missile launch vehicles during a ceremony ahead of a major ruling party congress. The weapons are designed to target South Korea and overwhelm its missile defense systems.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un showcased 50 new missile launch vehicles during a military ceremony this week, displaying his country’s growing nuclear threat against South Korea just before a significant ruling party gathering.

Kim’s sister, a senior foreign policy adviser, issued a separate statement acknowledging South Korea’s apology for alleged civilian drone flights over North Korean territory, while warning that the North will strengthen border defenses against what she called the “enemy” South.

Diplomatic ties between the two Koreas have remained frozen since 2019, following the collapse of nuclear negotiations between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump over sanctions disputes. Tensions have escalated further as Kim abandoned North Korea’s historic commitment to peaceful reunification, instead promoting a hostile “two-state” approach that may be formally adopted during the upcoming Workers’ Party congress.

Official photographs revealed multiple launcher vehicles positioned outside the April 25th House of Culture, the same location where party congresses took place in 2016 and 2021.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, these vehicles operate 600-millimeter rocket launcher systems. Military analysts note that North Korea’s heavy artillery rockets function similarly to short-range ballistic missiles due to their self-propelled guidance systems. These weapons form part of Kim’s expanding arsenal of nuclear-capable short-range arms intended to overwhelm South Korean missile defense networks.

During his address, Kim described the “wonderful” rocket launchers as featuring artificial intelligence and sophisticated guidance systems designed for “strategic mission” purposes — language typically indicating nuclear capabilities. He announced that the forthcoming congress would outline new strategies to enhance his nuclear-armed forces, which already possess various weapons targeting U.S. regional allies and intercontinental missiles potentially capable of striking American territory.

Kim Yo Jong stated she “highly assesses” South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young’s apology concerning the alleged drone incidents, but warned of forceful retaliation if similar flights occur again. She confirmed plans to enhance military surveillance along the inter-Korean border.

“The border with an enemy state should naturally be firm,” she said.

Minister Chung announced Wednesday that Seoul was exploring the restoration of a suspended 2018 inter-Korean military agreement aimed at reducing border tensions, including establishment of a no-fly zone, as measures to prevent future drone incidents.

Last month, North Korea issued retaliation threats after claiming South Korea conducted surveillance drone operations in September and January. While Seoul’s government has denied official drone activities during those periods, law enforcement officials are investigating three civilians suspected of operating drones over North Korean territory from border regions.