Kim Jong-un inspects strategic cruise missile drills

Seoul [South Korea], December 29: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally supervised the exercise involving the launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on December 29 that strategic cruise missiles flew along predetermined trajectories over the sea west of the Korean Peninsula , with flight times of 10,199 and 10,203 seconds respectively, before hitting their targets. The exercise aimed to test the counter-attack posture and combat capabilities of long-range missile units.
This is the latest in a series of rapid moves by Kim Jong-un to showcase military capabilities and advance development goals ahead of the 9th National Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, scheduled for early 2026 - an event that will outline the country's next five-year development plan.
Expressing satisfaction with the results of the exercise, leader Kim Jong-un emphasized that regularly assessing the reliability and rapid response capabilities of the components of North Korea's nuclear deterrence force is "a responsible activity," given the country faces numerous security threats.
Kim Jong-un affirmed that the country will continue to focus all its efforts on developing its nuclear combat capabilities.
The launch took place just days after KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and oversaw a test of a long-range surface-to-air missile.
Alongside his military activities, the North Korean leader also continues to appear at various socio-economic events. KCNA reported that Kim attended the inauguration of a paper mill on December 28.
Over the past month, Kim also attended numerous factory, hotel, and infrastructure inauguration ceremonies as North Korea accelerates the completion of its current "Five-Year Development Plan" ahead of the 9th National Congress in 2026.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper