North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently toured a factory dedicated to the production of new multiple rocket launchers, where he praised the weapons systems for their potential to “annihilate the enemy,” according to reports from state-run media. This event comes on the heels of Pyongyang’s announcement that it had conducted a test-fire of two strategic long-range cruise missiles, a move described as a demonstration of its “combat readiness” in the face of perceived foreign threats.
During his visit, Kim, accompanied by high-ranking officials from North Korea’s missile program, articulated that the newly developed weapons would become the military’s “main strike means.” The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) conveyed his assertion that the multiple rocket system represents a “super-powerful weapon” capable of delivering sudden, precise strikes with heightened accuracy and devastating impact.
Kim emphasized the intended operational deployment of this new missile system, highlighting its role in conducting concentrated military attacks. KCNA indicated that these systems would be employed in considerable numbers during military operations, suggesting a strategic focus on overwhelming firepower.
Images released by state media depicted Kim beside the formidable missile systems within the expansive factory environment, adorned with propaganda messages that reflect North Korea’s militaristic ethos.
North Korea remains technically in a state of war with South Korea, and its extensive artillery capabilities are widely considered integral to its defense and offensive strategies in the event of conflict. A study conducted in 2020 by the RAND Corporation estimated that North Korean artillery could potentially cause up to 10,000 casualties in just one hour if major urban centers like Seoul were targeted.
In recent years, North Korea has markedly intensified its missile testing activities, a trend that analysts link to efforts aimed at enhancing precision strike capabilities. This escalation is viewed as a strategic measure to challenge both the United States and South Korea, while also testing weapon systems that may eventually be exported to allies like Russia.
