North Korea to unveil ‘next-stage’ nuclear plans at party congress: Kim Jong Un

Ahead of a rare party congress, Kim Jong Un announces plans to bolster North Korea’s nuclear war deterrent

January 28, 2026

Kim Jong Un says North Korea will unveil next-stage nuclear plans at an upcoming Workers’ Party congress after fresh missile tests

Missile tests, nuclear expansion plans signal escalation ahead of rare Workers’ Party meet

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced that his regime will soon unveil “next-stage” plans to further strengthen its nuclear forces, signalling a fresh escalation in Pyongyang’s weapons programme amid rising regional tensions.

According to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the plans will be revealed at an upcoming congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, expected to take place in the coming weeks. The meeting will be the party’s first full congress in five years and is expected to set the country’s strategic direction for the next phase.

Missile tests ahead of key party meeting

Kim’s remarks came after he oversaw a ballistic missile test on Tuesday, during which North Korea fired four missiles from a “large-calibre” multiple rocket launcher system. The test, conducted in the presence of senior officials and Kim’s young daughter, was described by him as a warning to hostile forces.

“The result and significance of this test will be a source of excruciating mental agony and a serious threat to forces that attempt military confrontation with us,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

North Korean media claimed the rockets struck targets 358.5 kilometres away, while Japan reported that at least two missiles landed outside North Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Sea of Japan.

Push to expand nuclear deterrence

KCNA said Kim has ordered the expansion and modernisation of missile production, stressing that the upcoming party congress will “clarify next-stage plans for further bolstering up the country’s nuclear war deterrent”.

While acknowledging technical challenges in developing the rocket launcher system, Kim called the latest test “of great significance” in enhancing the effectiveness of North Korea’s strategic deterrence.

Defence analysts say the congress is likely to mark a rhetorical and operational shift.
Lee Ho-ryung of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses told AFP that Kim may declare North Korea’s nuclear capabilities have now reached their maximum operational level, moving focus toward deployment and readiness.

Second missile test this month

Tuesday’s launch marked Pyongyang’s second missile test in January, following a volley of launches timed just before South Korea’s leader travelled to China for a summit.

The test also came days after a high-level visit to Seoul by US defence official Elbridge Colby, who reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to South Korea as a “model ally”. The US continues to station 28,500 troops in South Korea as a deterrent against the nuclear-armed North.

Message to Washington and Seoul

Analysts believe the timing of the launches is deliberate. Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification said Pyongyang may be signalling to Washington that it possesses advanced response capabilities beyond those of other sanctioned states.

Tensions have also risen after Kim criticised South Korea’s push, alongside the US, to develop nuclear-powered submarines, calling it a threat that must be countered.

During his first term, US President Donald Trump met Kim Jong Un three times in an unsuccessful bid to secure a denuclearisation deal.

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