"At the eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Congress in late 2022, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the exponential expansion of North Korea's nuclear arsenal and the development of a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile. Mr. Kim reportedly said: "They are now keen on isolating and stifling North Korea...and the prevailing situation calls for redoubled efforts to overwhelmingly beef up our military muscle.""
"Not only has he apparently done this with his arsenal of nuclear weapons, but in October 2025, at the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Korean Workers' Party, the , a solid fuel, mobile three stage ICBM capable of targeting the whole of the U.S., was introduced to the international community. The Hwasong-20 possibly could also be capable of launching multiple nuclear warheads at different targets, a capability that would challenge any missile defense system."
South Korea's Korea Institute for Defense Analysis assesses North Korea possesses between 127 and 150 nuclear weapons, a significant increase from earlier 50–60 estimates, with projections of 200 by 2030 and 400 by 2040. In late 2022, Kim Jong Un ordered an exponential expansion of the nuclear arsenal and development of a more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, and called for mass production of battlefield tactical nuclear weapons aimed at South Korea and a new ICBM capable of striking the U.S. The Hwasong-20, a solid-fuel, mobile three-stage ICBM introduced in October 2025, may carry multiple warheads. North Korea is also pursuing submarine capabilities, including a nuclear-powered submarine.
Read at The Cipher Brief
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