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North's leader hails 'multifaceted nuclear operation' with cruise missile test

Published: 11 Mar. 2026, 18:25 Updated: 11 Mar. 2026, 18:31

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, and his daughter Kim Ju-ae watch a test launch of a strategic cruise missile from the destroyer Choe Hyon via video link on March 10, in this photo carried by the North's official Rodong Sinmun the following day. [NEWS1]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the country’s nuclear forces have entered a “phase of multifaceted operation” after overseeing a strategic cruise missile launch from a new destroyer, state media reported Wednesday.

Analysts say the move appears intended to show that Pyongyang could survive a decapitation strike — like the recent U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Iran’s supreme leader — and retaliate with nuclear weapons from the sea.

Tuesday's launch marked the second test from the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer within a week. North Korea conducted a similar sea-to-surface strategic cruise missile test from the vessel last Wednesday, according to state media.

The Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers’ Party, reported Wednesday that operational capability tests for the new destroyer are ongoing. Kim observed Tuesday’s launch by video link alongside his daughter, Kim Ju-ae.

The missiles followed a trajectory over the Yellow Sea and flew between 10,116 seconds and 10,138 seconds — about 2 hours and 48 minutes — before striking island targets, the report said. Photographs released by the North showed multiple missiles appearing to launch from the ship at nearly the same time.

North Korea’s 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon launches a strategic cruise missile on March 10 in this photo carried by the state-run Rodong Sinmun on March 11. [NEWS1]

Kim used the occasion to highlight the development of North Korea’s nuclear forces.

“The components of our war deterrent are now being included in the very sophisticated operational system in an effective and accelerated manner continuously and the country's nuclear forces have made a switch to the phase of multifaceted operation,” he said, as quoted by the Rodong Sinmun.

Kim also pointed to progress in deploying strike systems for combat use.

“Important successes have been recently made in putting the strategic and tactical strike means on a practical basis and deploying them for an actual war,” he said. “Such successes have updated the readiness of our army for strategic action and enhanced the confidence in it.”

“Our belief and confidence based on those verified capabilities make it possible to take the initiative in the military activities for national defence and will play an important role in further developing our potential.”

North Korea’s 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon launches a strategic cruise missile on March 10 in these photos carried by the state-run Rodong Sinmun on March 11. [NEWS1]

Analysts say Kim’s renewed emphasis on nuclear forces, along with the destroyer’s impending commissioning, suggests North Korea is trying to show its sea-based nuclear second-strike capability is nearing completion. Cruise missiles in the country’s Hwasal series are believed capable of carrying the tactical nuclear warhead that North Korea calls Hwasan-31.

Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, said the test signals a broader shift in North Korea’s naval strategy.

“North Korea appears to be attempting not just a weapons test but a structural transformation of its naval power,” Lim said. “The navy, which previously focused on coastal defense, is now presenting itself as a branch capable of conducting independent nuclear strikes.”

Kim also outlined plans to strengthen the weapons systems of future destroyers.

He instructed the military to equip high-speed maneuver vessels of 3,000 tons or less with automatic naval guns, while using the space on larger destroyers of 5,000 and 8,000 tons to install additional supersonic weapon systems instead, the Rodong Sinmun reported.

Kim also called for completing operational tests of propulsion, antiaircraft, antisubmarine and mine warfare systems so the destroyer can be delivered to the navy on schedule. He ordered the construction of another destroyer by Oct. 10, the anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party, and called for improvements to naval base infrastructure.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, takes a ride on the Choe Hyon destroyer in this photo carried by the North's official Rodong Sinmun on March 5. [NEWS1]

Separately, North Korea’s foreign ministry criticized the United States and Israel over their actions toward Iran.

In comments carried Tuesday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a ministry spokesperson said, "We respect the rights and choice of the Iranian people to elect their supreme leader," after reports that Iran selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as his successor.

Former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died on Feb. 28 in airstrikes on Iran launched by Israel and the United States.

“We express serious concern over and strongly denounce the acts of aggression by the U.S. and Israel that are destroying the regional peace and security foundations and escalating instability worldwide by mounting [an] illegal military attack on Iran," the spokesperson added.

"Any rhetorical threats and military action, which violate the political system and territorial integrity of the relevant country, interfere in its internal affairs and openly advocate the attempt to overthrow its social system, deserve worldwide criticism and rejection as they can never be tolerated."

North Korea has defended Iran twice since the reported U.S.-Israeli strikes. But as in previous statements, the comments appeared only through the external outlet KCNA rather than in domestic media.

Earlier this month, North Korea's foreign ministry statement denounced the United States and Israel for attacking Iran, calling it "an illegal act of aggression and the most despicable form of violation of sovereignty."

North Korea’s 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon launches a strategic cruise missile on March 10 in this photo carried by the state-run Rodong Sinmun on March 11. [NEWS1]

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHUNG YEONG-GYO [[email protected]]