Kim Jong Un launched cruise missiles capable of striking U.S. bases in Japan, signaling North Korea’s unwavering commitment to nuclear escalation amid ignored peace overtures from President Trump.
Story Snapshot
- North Korea fired long-range strategic cruise missiles on December 28, 2025, from near Pyongyang, flying over 10,000 seconds before precise hits.
- Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the test, calling it proof of combat readiness and nuclear deterrent strength.
- Missiles boast 2,000 km range, evading radar at low altitudes to threaten Korean Peninsula and U.S. assets in Japan.
- Test responds to U.S.-South Korea submarine deals and dockings, dismissed by Pyongyang as invasions.
- Second such drill in a week, timed before key Workers’ Party meeting, vows unlimited nuclear buildup.
Precise Launch Details from Sunan District
North Korean forces launched multiple long-range strategic cruise missiles at 8:00 a.m. on December 28, 2025, from the Sunan area near Pyongyang. The missiles followed predetermined low-altitude paths over the Yellow Sea. Flight durations reached 10,199 and 10,203 seconds, nearly three hours, before striking targets accurately. Kim Jong Un observed operations from a command post, confirming success through synchronized strikes.
State media KCNA reported the event on December 29, emphasizing verification of counterattack capabilities. These cruise missiles differ from ballistic types by hugging terrain, complicating detection. Range extends to 2,000 kilometers, placing U.S. bases in Japan within reach.
Kim Jong Un’s Direct Oversight and Vows
Kim Jong Un guided the drill, inspecting missile sub-units’ readiness. He declared regular tests essential for self-defense against South Korea-U.S. maneuvers. Pyongyang views U.S. approvals for South Korean nuclear submarines and USS Greenville’s Busan docking as hostile encroachments.
Kim pledged total national effort for unlimited nuclear force development. This follows his recent munitions factory visits and approval of artillery upgrades. The test bolsters asymmetric warfare options, showcasing nuclear delivery reliability.
Responses from South Korea and Regional Stakes
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs detected launches and condemned them as threats to peace. Defense Ministry officials warned of further instability. No immediate counter-tests occurred, but vigilance increased across the peninsula.
Analyst Yang Moo-jin stated missiles counter submarine alliances, capable of hitting peninsula targets and U.S. Japan facilities. Tests align with North Korea’s pattern of displays before political events like the 2026 Workers’ Party congress. Common sense dictates such provocations strain diplomacy, especially ignoring Trump’s meeting offer, which prioritizes strength over endless talks.
Strategic Implications for U.S. Allies
Short-term, Yellow Sea traffic faces disruptions; long-term, North Korea advances cruise guidance and nuclear integration. This fuels Indo-Pacific arms race, pressuring U.S. missile defenses.
Pyongyang frames actions as defensive, yet timing post-Trump’s tour underscores rejection of dialogue. Facts support viewing this as regime propaganda for internal cohesion, diverting from economic woes under sanctions. Conservative values affirm deterrence through resolve, not appeasement.
Sources:
North Korea Tests Cruise Missiles in Show of ‘Combat Readiness’
