The tests, conducted on Thursday, evaluated the performance of a “special mission” warhead for a tactical ballistic missile, an upgraded multiple rocket launch system and extended-range shells for a self-propelled gun-howitzer, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

KCNA said Kim described the results as evidence of technological progress aimed at transforming North Korea’s firepower posture along the southern border, indicating that the systems are intended to target strategic facilities in South Korea, including airfields, ports and U.S. military installations.

Kim said North Korea’s self-defense strategy requires strengthening “the deadly and destructive offensive posture to make no enemy dare to confront,” adding that maintaining constant uncertainty and fear among adversaries is a key element of the country’s deterrence policy, KCNA reported.

The state news agency said the newly tested special mission warhead is designed to inflict significant damage on critical enemy infrastructure, including airfields, ports and power facilities.

The latest weapons demonstrations came only days after North Korea commissioned the Choe Hyon, a 5,000-ton destroyer that Kim has described as a symbol of the country’s expanding naval and nuclear capabilities. The vessel is regarded as North Korea’s most advanced warship to date.

Pyongyang has accelerated the development of its strategic and conventional weapons since negotiations with the United States collapsed in 2019. North Korea has maintained that any future dialogue would require Washington to abandon its demand for denuclearization as a precondition for talks.

Kim has also adopted a more confrontational stance toward South Korea, designating it as North Korea’s “principal enemy” and reinforcing military infrastructure along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border.

North Korea has simultaneously expanded its diplomatic engagement with Russia through support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, while also strengthening ties with China. Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pyongyang for his first summit with Kim in seven years.

A small group of protesters interrupted Takaichi’s address with chants including “No to war!” and “Protect Article 9!,” according to television footage from the ceremony held in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture. The demonstration reflected concerns among some Japanese citizens over recent policy shifts that have moved the country further from its postwar pacifist framework.

Takaichi, regarded as a security hawk, used her speech to honor those killed during the 1945 battle, in which approximately 200,000 people died. She said Japan remained committed to peace and reiterated the country’s pledge never to repeat the devastation of war.

“Whenever I reflect upon the regret of all those who perished in the war and the grief of the bereaved families, my heart is filled with profound sorrow,” Takaichi said. “Under our unwavering pledge never again to repeat the devastation of war, Japan has steadfastly moved forward on this path as a nation that places the highest value on peace.”

The protest comes as Japan accelerates changes to its security posture amid rising tensions in East Asia. In April, Tokyo eased restrictions on lethal arms exports, while Takaichi has continued to advocate revising Japan’s constitution, including provisions that limit the role of its military.

Article 9 of Japan’s constitution, adopted after World War Two, renounces war and restricts the use of force as a means of settling international disputes. Although Japan maintains Self-Defense Forces, successive governments have debated how broadly the clause should be interpreted in response to evolving regional security challenges.

Okinawa occupies a strategically important position in Japan’s southwestern island chain and hosts a substantial U.S. military presence. The prefecture’s proximity to Taiwan has heightened its significance as tensions between China and Taiwan continue to shape regional security calculations.

Takaichi’s government has expanded defense cooperation with regional partners, including the Philippines, increased military spending, and supported the acquisition of so-called counterstrike capabilities designed to respond to attacks against Japan.

Her security agenda has drawn criticism from Beijing, which accuses Tokyo of reviving wartime militarism. Relations between the two countries deteriorated further after Takaichi suggested last year that Japan could intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attempt to take Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has responded to recent Japanese statements with diplomatic criticism, trade restrictions and travel advisories for Chinese citizens visiting Japan.

The Okinawa ceremony, traditionally focused on remembrance and reconciliation, unfolded against the backdrop of those broader geopolitical tensions, underscoring how debates over Japan’s security future continue to intersect with memories of its wartime past.

Kim made the remarks during a three-day plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea that concluded on Monday, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In a closing speech, Kim reaffirmed what KCNA described as the government’s commitment to rapidly strengthening national defense capabilities amid what North Korea views as a deteriorating regional security environment.

“The steadfast policy stand of our Party and state is to beef up the national defense capabilities faster,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

North Korea remains subject to multiple international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The Korean Peninsula technically remains in a state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty.

According to KCNA, Kim accused Washington and Seoul of intensifying military preparations, citing efforts to modernize armed forces and developments related to South Korea’s pursuit of advanced naval capabilities, including plans involving nuclear-powered submarines.

Kim said such actions were pushing the Korean Peninsula “to the brink of a nuclear war” and argued that North Korea must continue expanding what he described as a reliable self-defense deterrent.

The party meeting concluded that strengthening the country’s nuclear forces remained the most effective way to respond to evolving international military and political challenges, KCNA reported. It added that efforts to develop a strategic deterrent based on nuclear technology would proceed at an accelerated pace.

The statements reinforce Pyongyang’s long-standing position that its nuclear arsenal is central to national security and non-negotiable. North Korea has repeatedly characterized itself as an irreversible nuclear weapons state since the collapse of denuclearization talks between Kim and then-U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi in 2019.

Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s influential sister, reiterated that position earlier this month, describing the country’s nuclear doctrine as a “line of no retreat” and signaling continued resistance to future disarmament demands.

The latest comments come amid renewed discussion of North Korea policy following talks between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump during the Group of Seven summit in France earlier this month.

Lee said Trump agreed that new approaches may be required to address North Korea’s nuclear program. The South Korean leader also argued that existing sanctions have not produced the intended results and that Pyongyang cannot be approached in the same manner as other nuclear-related challenges.

North Korea’s latest pledge to accelerate military development underscores the continued stalemate in denuclearization diplomacy and highlights the widening gap between Pyongyang’s strategic objectives and international efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions.

The Immediate Combat Readiness Exercises, announced by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense on Sunday, focus on assessing how quickly military units can mobilize and respond to potential threats, particularly in scenarios involving sudden escalation short of open conflict.

In Taoyuan, home to Taiwan’s largest international airport and a strategically important transportation hub, tanks and armored vehicles from the Army’s 269th Infantry Brigade were deployed on city streets and highways as part of combat readiness patrols, according to images and footage released by military authorities.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said the drills emphasize realistic operational conditions, including live-fire elements and real-time decision-making. The exercises are intended to simulate military responses during the critical period preceding a potential hostile assault.

According to Taiwan’s semi-official Central News Agency, the drills are structured to evaluate the military’s ability to react swiftly before an adversary launches amphibious or air operations. Authorities indicated that additional unscheduled exercises could be conducted in the future to test immediate responses to evolving security situations.

The drills come amid continued military activity by China around Taiwan. Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that 23 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels and five government-operated ships were detected operating near the island between Sunday and Monday.

China regularly deploys warplanes, naval vessels and drones near Taiwan in what Taipei describes as pressure tactics intended to wear down the island’s defenses and signal Beijing’s territorial claims.

Grey-zone operations, which have become a central feature of cross-strait tensions, encompass activities such as military patrols, air incursions, maritime presence and drone operations that fall below the threshold of direct armed conflict but are designed to exert strategic pressure.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated that reunification remains a national objective. Chinese authorities have not ruled out the use of force to achieve that goal.

Taiwan, which operates as a self-governing democracy, has increasingly focused on strengthening its defense posture through expanded training programs, weapons modernization and civil defense preparations. Earlier this month, Taiwanese forces conducted a military exercise that included firing rockets toward waters facing China, marking a notable demonstration of defensive capabilities.

The latest readiness drills underscore Taipei’s efforts to improve rapid-response capabilities as military activity around the Taiwan Strait continues to intensify.

The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of involvement in an insurrection stemming from the short-lived martial law order issued by Yoon in December 2024, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Park’s sentence exceeded the 20-year prison term sought by prosecutors, who argued that he had abused his authority to facilitate the implementation of martial law and undermined the rule of law.

According to prosecutors, Park convened a meeting of senior Justice Ministry officials during the early hours of the martial law declaration and reviewed prison capacity in anticipation of potential arrests of political opponents and government critics.

The court ruled that, as justice minister, Park had instructed officials to cooperate with the martial law command structure on the assumption that its decrees would take effect, Yonhap reported.

The verdict marks the latest conviction arising from Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law, which lasted approximately six hours before lawmakers entered the National Assembly and voted to overturn the measure during an emergency session.

The move triggered a political and institutional crisis that shook South Korea’s democratic system, sparked nationwide protests and rattled financial markets while drawing concern from key allies, including the United States.

Yoon has since been convicted of leading an insurrection and is appealing a life sentence. Earlier this month, he was also sentenced to 30 years in prison in a separate case after being found guilty of sending drones into North Korea in an alleged attempt to manufacture a security crisis that could justify emergency rule.

Several senior members of Yoon’s administration have also received prison terms.

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving a 15-year sentence, while former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was sentenced to nine years in prison. A former defense minister was jailed last week for three years after being convicted of disclosing classified military information connected to the martial law operation.

Separately, former first lady Kim Keon Hee is serving a four-year prison sentence for stock manipulation and bribery offenses unrelated to the martial law case.

The convictions represent one of the most extensive legal reckonings involving a former South Korean administration since the country’s transition to democratic rule, with prosecutors continuing to pursue accountability for officials involved in the failed attempt to impose emergency military authority.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency questioned Yang Jong-hwan, head of Shinsegae Group’s audit team, as a witness on Wednesday, according to a company spokesperson. The inquiry is linked to public complaints filed over Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” reusable cup promotion held on May 18.

The campaign sparked nationwide outrage because it took place on the 46th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, a pro-democracy movement that was violently suppressed by military forces. Official figures state that 165 civilians were killed during the crackdown, although activists and historians have long argued the actual death toll was significantly higher.

Starbucks Korea operates more than 2,000 stores nationwide under a licensing agreement with Shinsegae Group, making South Korea one of the coffee chain’s most important international markets. The controversy quickly escalated into a major corporate crisis, prompting Shinsegae to dismiss the head of its Korean operations on the day the scandal emerged.

Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin later issued a public apology, acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and expressing regret for the distress caused to victims’ families, survivors and the wider public.

Despite those measures, a civic organization filed a legal complaint against Chung and other company executives. The complaint alleges violations of a 2016 law related to the Gwangju uprising, including provisions prohibiting the dissemination of false information about the historical event. The filing also includes allegations of defamation and insult.

The company said it would cooperate fully with investigators and hoped the facts surrounding the case would be clarified promptly and transparently. Police have not publicly commented on the investigation.

The backlash has had tangible business consequences. According to the company, sales declined sharply in the days immediately following the controversy as public anger intensified. Demonstrations were held in both Seoul and Gwangju, with critics accusing the company of insensitivity toward a defining moment in South Korea’s democratic history.

In response, Starbucks Korea announced that all stores nationwide will close for half a day next Monday to allow employees to attend educational sessions on the Gwangju uprising. Senior executives, including Shinsegae’s chairman, are scheduled to participate in a separate history program later in the week.

An internal review by Shinsegae concluded that a series of procedural failures contributed to the launch of the campaign, including the approval of promotional materials without adequate review of design content and timing.

The controversy also drew criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, who described the incident as “inhumane” and “disgraceful,” reflecting the sensitivity that still surrounds the legacy of the Gwangju uprising more than four decades after it became a symbol of South Korea’s democratic struggle.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said US and South Korean efforts to strengthen nuclear cooperation against Pyongyang would not change the country’s status as a nuclear weapons state.

“The ‘denuclearization’ is an irreversibly finalized matter,” the statement carried by state media KCNA said.

The remarks came after US and South Korean officials held talks in Seoul under the Nuclear Consultative Group, where they discussed strengthening nuclear deterrence and military readiness in response to North Korea’s expanding weapons program.

Washington and Seoul have repeatedly called for the dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, while Pyongyang has insisted that its nuclear capabilities are necessary for national security.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have continued to rise as North Korea expands missile testing and deepens military cooperation with Russia.

Xi’s two-day trip to Pyongyang, his first in seven years, underscored efforts by Beijing and Pyongyang to revitalize a traditional alliance that has faced new challenges amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia and shifting regional geopolitical dynamics.

During a summit on Monday, Xi expressed China’s willingness to expand cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, construction and technology, according to Chinese and North Korean state media. Kim, in turn, described maintaining ties with China as a top strategic priority for his government.

The visit included a series of highly symbolic events aimed at highlighting historical bonds between the two neighbors. Xi and Kim visited a monument commemorating Chinese soldiers who fought alongside North Korean forces during the 1950-53 Korean War and emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of bilateral cooperation and resistance against foreign pressure.

The two leaders also toured a Workers’ Party training institution and participated in a tree-planting ceremony intended to symbolize the long-term development of relations between their countries.

The summit came less than a year after Xi and Kim met in Beijing and reflected a broader effort by both governments to maintain strategic coordination amid growing uncertainty in Northeast Asia.

State media reports emphasized commitments to expand economic and political cooperation and highlighted North Korea’s support for China’s position on Taiwan under Beijing’s “one-China” policy.

Notably absent from official accounts of the talks was any public discussion of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, a longstanding source of regional tension and a central issue in international diplomacy involving Pyongyang.

The omission has drawn attention among regional analysts. Some experts view the absence of references to denuclearization as a diplomatic advantage for North Korea, which has increasingly sought recognition as a nuclear-armed state while pressing for sanctions relief and greater international acceptance.

Ban Kil Joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, said the lack of discussion about denuclearization could be interpreted as China leaving room for broader acceptance of North Korea’s current strategic status rather than actively challenging it.

Analysts also see the visit as part of China’s effort to restore its influence over North Korea after Pyongyang deepened military and political cooperation with Russia in recent years. North Korea has strengthened ties with Moscow through support for Russian military efforts and expanded strategic cooperation, raising questions about Beijing’s traditional role as Pyongyang’s primary external partner.

Kim Gyubeom, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, said China appears to be pursuing a pragmatic approach that maintains communication and influence without applying significant pressure on North Korea, while prioritizing regional stability.

For Beijing, stronger ties with Pyongyang may also provide additional diplomatic leverage in its broader relationship with the United States. Analysts note that renewed Chinese influence over North Korea could become a factor in future dealings between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly indicated interest in restarting diplomacy with Kim.

The visit highlighted a convergence of interests between Beijing and Pyongyang as both governments navigate an increasingly complex regional environment marked by strategic competition, security concerns and shifting alliances across East Asia.

China and North Korea announced on Friday that Xi will make a state visit from Monday to Tuesday, where he is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The visit comes as North Korea deepens military and political cooperation with Russia and a day after Pyongyang unveiled a new facility that South Korea’s military assessed as a uranium enrichment plant.Analysts say Beijing is seeking to reinforce its influence in North Korea as Kim expands ties with Moscow while continuing to advance his nuclear weapons program.

Xi and Kim last met in Beijing in September, where they pledged closer cooperation. China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner and key economic supporter despite international sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile activities.

The trip will be Xi’s first visit to North Korea in nearly seven years and highlights the strategic importance both countries place on maintaining close ties amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in Northeast Asia.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from Jongju, a city on North Korea’s west coast, and traveled toward the sea. The military did not immediately disclose the number of missiles launched or their flight distances.

Seoul said it had strengthened its surveillance and readiness posture following the launches and was closely coordinating with the United States and Japan on intelligence assessments and monitoring activities.
The test was North Korea’s first known missile launch since April 19, when Pyongyang fired multiple short-range missiles that state media described as part of an exercise involving cluster-bomb warheads.

The latest launch extends a pattern of weapons testing that has intensified as North Korea advances its military modernization programs.
Kim has prioritized the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and missile forces since negotiations with then-U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 without an agreement on sanctions relief and denuclearization.

Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reviving direct engagement with Kim. However, North Korea has largely ignored those overtures and has maintained that Washington must abandon demands for unilateral nuclear disarmament before meaningful negotiations can resume.

Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul have also deteriorated sharply. Kim has increasingly characterized South Korea as North Korea’s principal adversary and has moved to sever longstanding channels of inter-Korean cooperation and dialogue.

The missile launches came hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for accelerated efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities during a Cabinet meeting. Lee highlighted the importance of investing in artificial intelligence-driven military systems, expanding drone capabilities and examining the potential acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine.

While Lee did not directly address Tuesday’s missile launches, he emphasized the need for South Korea to demonstrate its ability to safeguard its own security interests. He said a stronger national defense posture would reinforce the country’s alliance with the United States.

The latest test is likely to draw renewed scrutiny from regional security partners as tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain elevated and diplomatic engagement between North Korea and its neighbors shows little sign of revival.