North Korea launched two ballistic missiles from its eastern coast, marking its first such test in two months. The launch coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s visit to China, according to TRT World. The previous missile test by Pyongyang took place in November, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines.

The missile launches come just before a historic conference of North Korea’s ruling party, the first in five years, where economic and defense strategies are expected to be discussed. In preparation for the meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the construction of additional factories to expand and modernize missile production.

State media reported that Kim recently inspected a weapons production facility and directed a 250 percent increase in production capacity. The timing of the launches and Kim’s directives underscore Pyongyang’s continued emphasis on strengthening its defense capabilities ahead of major political events.

North Korea has conducted a test of long-range cruise missiles under the direct supervision of its leader Kim Jong Un. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missiles flew over the sea west of Pyongyang along designated trajectories and accurately hit their targets. Kim expressed satisfaction with the results and announced that the country would continue sustainable development of its nuclear capabilities.

KCNA did not specify the exact launch site. However, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that its military detected multiple missile launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning. The report also suggested that North Korea might conduct additional missile tests before the end of the year.

Kim stated that regular testing of nuclear capabilities is necessary due to ongoing security threats. He emphasized that Pyongyang will persist in its efforts toward unlimited and sustainable advancement of nuclear strength.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the expansion and modernization of the country’s missile production starting in 2026. According to state media reports on Friday, he also directed the construction of new weapons factories to meet growing demand. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim inspected several ammunition and weapons plants with senior officials and instructed them to fulfill the operational needs of the state’s missile and artillery forces.

Kim emphasized that overall production capacity must be increased to keep pace with the armed forces’ requirements, describing missile and ammunition manufacturing as crucial to strengthening war deterrence. In recent years, North Korea has significantly increased missile testing, which analysts say aims to improve strike precision, challenge the United States and South Korea, and test weapons before potential exports to other countries such as Russia.

The report followed news that Kim had visited a nuclear submarine plant, pledging to counter South Korea’s nuclear submarine development and being briefed on research into new underwater weapons. The ruling Workers’ Party is set to hold its first congress in five years in early 2026 to finalize the next five-year economic and military development plan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test launch of a new long-range surface-to-air missile from the country’s eastern coast, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The missile reportedly destroyed an aerial target about 200 kilometers away, marking a step in Pyongyang’s development of high-altitude defense technology.

KCNA added that Kim also inspected a nuclear-powered submarine under construction, weighing around 8,700 tons and designed to launch surface-to-air missiles. The project is part of North Korea’s broader naval modernization program, one of five key defense priorities announced by the ruling party. Kim emphasized that global instability makes nuclear and naval modernization “inevitable,” criticizing U.S.–South Korea cooperation on nuclear submarines as a threat to regional security.

The developments come as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin sent a New Year message to Kim, highlighting 2025 as a potentially significant year for Moscow–Pyongyang relations, signaling deepening strategic ties amid global geopolitical shifts.

North Korea conducted its first ballistic missile test in several months on Wednesday, launching multiple short-range missiles from areas near Pyongyang toward the northeast. South Korea’s military reported that the missiles traveled approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) and landed on land rather than in the sea. The launch comes just a week before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which will host leaders from the United States, China, and South Korea. The test violates United Nations sanctions and has prompted immediate intelligence sharing between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol convened an emergency security meeting with military and intelligence officials. Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the launch posed no immediate threat to Japan, though Tokyo is monitoring developments closely. Analysts view the missile test as a potential political signal ahead of the APEC summit.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he has “pleasant memories” of former U.S. President Donald Trump and is ready for dialogue if Washington abandons its demand for nuclear disarmament. Kim previously met Trump three times during his first term, but talks broke down in 2019 over North Korea’s nuclear concessions. The Korean leader emphasized that peaceful coexistence is possible if the U.S. acknowledges reality. His comments come as Seoul’s new government urges renewed engagement with Trump.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has departed Pyongyang aboard his bulletproof Taeyang-ho train, heading to Beijing for a multilateral diplomatic summit. He will meet leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, sharing the stage with 26 nations. For security, the 20-hour train journey replaces air travel. The heavily armored train features bulletproof glass, radar-evading netting, and onboard mortars. Kim has used this special train for key international visits since 2018, emphasizing his “armored train diplomacy.”

North Korea has advanced its nuclear program to the extent that it can now produce between 10 and 20 nuclear weapons each year, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned on Monday.
According to the Peace Research Institute, the country has already developed around 50 warheads and possesses fissile material sufficient for up to 40 more nuclear bombs.
President Lee blamed the previous administration’s hardline policies and lack of diplomacy with Pyongyang for enabling North Korea to expand its nuclear arsenal unchecked.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet Kim Jong-un later this year, while also preparing for renewed trade talks with South Korea. Lee made his first official visit to the White House on Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced plans to expand his country’s nuclear weapons stockpile while inspecting a naval destroyer. He accused the U.S. and South Korea of including nuclear elements in joint military drills, which Pyongyang views as invasion rehearsals. Seoul and Washington insist the exercises are defensive. South Korea’s defense ministry said live-fire drills will continue despite border tensions. Experts warn of possible North Korean retaliation, while President Lee Jae-myung urged peace and de-escalation on the peninsula.

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, has firmly rejected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s attempts to improve inter-Korean relations. She condemned recent conciliatory steps like stopping loudspeaker propaganda along the border as mistakes and warned South Korea against expecting a change through emotional appeals. Kim also criticized Seoul’s “blind faith” in the US alliance and declared no interest in dialogue or meetings with South Korea, maintaining the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed his military to maintain full readiness for real war, urging forces to develop the capability to annihilate enemies in combat. He issued the order while observing a live-fire artillery drill. The warning comes amid increasing North Korean military support for Russia in the Ukraine war. Intelligence reports suggest Pyongyang has sent weapons and troops, with hundreds reportedly killed. Kim also pledged full backing for Moscow and signed a mutual defense pact with Putin during a rare summit.

North Korea has vowed to fully back Russia in the Ukraine war, with leader Kim Jong-un assuring Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of unconditional support. Talks in Wonsan highlighted military cooperation, including a mutual defense pact. Reports suggest North Korea may send up to 30,000 troops and has already supplied missiles and artillery shells to Russia. Satellite images show active transport between the two countries. Analysts warn Russia may be helping North Korea with weapons technology in return for its support.

North Korea has strongly condemned the recent reaffirmation by the Quad alliance—comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India—of its commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang labeled the Quad’s stance a “grave political provocation” and accused the group of attempting to unilaterally alter regional dynamics through coercive measures.

North Korea also criticized the United States for allegedly fabricating "cyber threats" against the regime, warning that such provocations could lead to serious consequences.

North Korea is reportedly preparing to send up to 30,000 troops to fight for Russia in Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian intelligence report cited by CNN. This would nearly triple the current number of North Korean soldiers aiding Moscow. Previously, 11,000 troops were deployed in 2024, with many casualties reported. Russia is equipping and integrating them into its units for potential offensives. Increased military transport activity has been observed, and Pyongyang is also sending construction workers and deminers to support Russia’s efforts near the Ukrainian front.

A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. airstrikes on Iran as a violation of the UN Charter. Blaming Israel's ongoing military actions and land-grabbing policies for the crisis, the official claimed such behavior is enabled by Western support. “The international community must unite in condemning and rejecting the provocative and confrontational actions of the U.S. and Israel,” the statement read.