Kim Jong Un Oversees Weapons Tests, Calls for Stronger ‘Offensive Posture’ Against Enemies

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed major weapons tests and called for strengthening the military’s “deadly and destructive offensive posture,” state media reported Friday, just days after the country unveiled its first naval destroyer.

The move reflects Kim’s continued push to expand both nuclear and conventional military capabilities while rejecting a return to negotiations with South Korea and United States.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the tests conducted Thursday evaluated the performance of a “special mission” warhead designed for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launcher system, and the accuracy of extended-range shells fired from a self-propelled gun-howitzer.

KCNA quoted Kim as saying the results demonstrated technological advances aimed at improving North Korea’s military capabilities near the southern border, suggesting the tested systems could target locations in South Korea, including US military facilities.

Kim said North Korea’s defense strategy includes developing “the deadly and destructive offensive posture” to prevent any enemy from challenging the country.

“To make the enemies feel constant uneasiness and fear is just an important aspect of the exercise of war deterrent,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

The state media report added that the special mission warhead was designed to cause “fatal damage” to key targets such as enemy airfields, ports and power facilities.

New destroyer highlights naval ambitions

The weapons tests came days after North Korea commissioned a 5,000-ton destroyer, which Kim described as a symbol of the country’s expanding naval and nuclear capabilities.

The warship, named Choe Hyon-class destroyer, is considered North Korea’s most advanced naval vessel and marks a major step in Pyongyang’s efforts to modernize its military fleet.

Kim has accelerated the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs since his diplomacy with former US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. Since then, he has also emphasized the development of advanced conventional weapons.

No return to talks without policy change

In response to Trump’s repeated calls to restart diplomacy, Kim has indicated that negotiations could resume only if Washington abandons its demand for North Korea’s denuclearization as a condition for talks.

Relations with South Korea have also deteriorated, with Kim labeling Seoul as North Korea’s “principal enemy” and ordering additional military infrastructure along the heavily fortified border.

Meanwhile, Kim has expanded North Korea’s international partnerships, strengthening ties with Russia amid its war in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Xi Jinping visited North Korea for the first time in seven years, holding talks with Kim in a sign of closer ties between Pyongyang and Beijing.