North Korea’s Kim Jong-un Warns Enemies of Nuclear Capability

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stated that adversaries, particularly the United States and South Korea, will soon grasp the “destructive power of tactical nuclear weapons.” This declaration came during a rocket launch this weekend, as reported by state media on Sunday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s main state-run news outlet, released images of the launch that featured Kim alongside his daughter Jue, who is thought to be about 12 years old. Recently, Kim has taken steps to involve his daughter in public events, like a visit to a munitions factory. Earlier this year, South Korean intelligence indicated that Kim might have officially positioned her as his successor, amidst a regime that demands reverence for the Kim lineage.

The KCNA report focused more on the specifics of the hardware tested rather than the young Kim’s presence. They noted, “Twelve 600mm caliber ultra-precision multiple rocket artillery and two artillery companies participated in the exercise,” which occurred on Saturday. The state-run media also indicated that the rocket accurately struck a target in the East Sea, and Kim hinted that it could potentially deliver a nuclear payload.

“He remarked that this exercise would serve to expose North Korea’s rivals, particularly those within a 420-kilometer radius,” KCNA summarized Kim’s statement, adding that its objective was to amplify the understanding of tactical nuclear weapons’ destructive abilities.

Kim described the rocket as a “very deadly but fascinating weapon,” claiming it to be the most advanced of its type globally, and suggested that North Korea might engage in similar tests more frequently in the future.

“As I have stated, our robust offensive capabilities are fundamentally protective,” Kim asserted, claiming that significant offensive power translates into reliable defense. This posture serves as a deterrent against warfare.

Furthermore, he mentioned that any U.S. or South Korean military infrastructure within the tested rocket’s range “will never survive.” An expert analysis stated that this suggests a threat to American installations in the area.

“This indicates major U.S. military bases in South Korea, including Pyeongtaek, Osan, and Gunsan, are within the rocket’s range,” noted researcher Hong Min. He emphasized that North Korea showcases its ability to conduct tactical nuclear saturation attacks, countering the combined air force capabilities of South Korea and the U.S.

This test appears linked to ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which escalated recently with President Donald Trump’s announcement of Operation Epic Fury. This operation reportedly resulted in significant casualties among Iranian leadership, notably affecting Iran’s military strength. While North Koreans cannot access independent media, state outlets have reported on Iran, highlighting long-standing ties between the two nations.

Last week, KCNA issued a message from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry that acknowledged the appointment of a new leader in Iran, emphasizing respect for the Iranian people’s choice.

Despite Kim’s focus on nuclear threats, he didn’t mention Iran directly during the rocket launch commentary but underscored the necessity of demonstrating to foreign powers that attacking countries like Iran would come at a great cost.

In a notable contrast, President Trump reached out to the South Korean administration last week, expressing interest in reviving dialogue with Kim Jong-un. Trump and Kim have previously met multiple times, including historical interactions during Trump’s first term. After Trump’s inaugural term concluded in 2024, Kim even extended good wishes towards Trump following an attempted assassination targeting the U.S. president.

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who met Trump in the White House recently, mentioned Trump’s strong stance on aid for North Korea. Kim Ming-seok relayed that Trump expressed a desire to engage in dialogue with Kim if the opportunity arises.

Moreover, the Prime Minister conveyed that enhancing contact and discussions could keep alive even a faint chance for a U.S.-North Korea summit. He also communicated a message from the left-leaning President Lee Jae-myung, who sees Trump as a key player in resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula.

As Trump prepares for an upcoming trip to China, reports suggest he might head to Beijing at the end of March, although this remains unconfirmed. Tensions have surfaced over China’s actions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, leading Trump to hint that his visit might be postponed.

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent affirmed that no delays were planned for the meeting, citing logistical factors if any changes do occur.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a routine press briefing, refrained from commenting on these developments. They only suggested that Trump might be accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who faces sanctions from China due to his anti-communist stance.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson indicated that the Chinese government would not obstruct Rubio’s entry into the country.