Kim Jong Un Boasts Nuclear Weapons Again... Foreign Ministry Directly Mentions and "Strongly Condemns" the U.S.

After concluding the 9th Party Congress, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jongun continues to demonstrate the country's 'nuclear capabilities.' North Korea directly criticized the United States and Israel, explicitly mentioning their airstrikes on Iran.

North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jongun oversaw the cruise missile test launch via video conference from the destroyer Choe Hyunho on the 10th, the Korean Central News Agency reported on the 11th. On the same day, Kim's daughter Juae also attended the test launch via video. March 11, 2026 Yonhap News Agency

원본보기 아이콘

On March 11, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jongun oversaw the test launch of a strategic cruise missile from the new 5,000-ton-class destroyer Choe Hyunho the previous day. This 'nuclear action' came only a week after he observed the missile launch from Choe Hyunho on land on March 3-4. The media stated that the missile launched this time flew for about 2 hours and 48 minutes along a trajectory over the West Sea, striking a target on an isolated island. Satisfied with the results, Kim Jongun said, "Our national nuclear force has advanced to a multifaceted operational stage." According to photos released by the media, Kim’s daughter Juae was also present at the observation site.

On the same day, North Korea directly criticized the United States through a statement issued by a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry stated, "We express grave concern and strongly condemn the illegal military attack on Iran by the United States and Israel," adding, "We respect the right and choice of the Iranian people to elect their own supreme leader."

The day before, in a statement issued in response to the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, Deputy Director Kim Yo-jong did not directly mention terms like 'United States' or 'nuclear force.' Regarding this, the Ministry of Unification assessed that it was "merely addressing the situation in light of the current circumstances." However, it appears that North Korea showcased its nuclear capabilities just one day later.

Im Eulchul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, stated, "This series of actions seems far removed from any attempt at moderation with future North Korea-U.S. talks in mind." He analyzed, "Kim Yo-jong’s statement, followed by the strategic cruise missile launch from Choe Hyunho, is actually a sophisticated move to apply direct pressure on the United States." He further explained, "The core message North Korea is sending to the United States is not about 'conciliatory management,' but rather about demonstrating its capabilities, emphasizing that the situation has already gone beyond what the United States can control."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.