Published

19/02/2026 às 15:36

Updated

19/02/2026 às 15:37

A military operation of great regional impact was announced this Thursday, the 19th, by North Korea, attracting international attention.
The leader Kim Jong Un presided over a ceremony to present 50 new launch vehicles intended for short-range missiles with nuclear capability, as disclosed by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The exhibition took place before an important event. Workers’ Party congresswhich increases the political weight of the announcement.
Thus, the event reinforces North Korea’s military strategy at a crucial moment in the party’s calendar.

Military demonstration precedes party congress.

Images released by state media showed rows of bomber trucks lined up near House of Culture April 25th, a place that hosted party congresses in 2016 and 2021.
Furthermore, the symbolic positioning of the equipment reinforces the connection between the military agenda and the domestic political agenda.
According to KCNA, the vehicles support multiple rocket launch systems of 600 mm.
In this way, the government demonstrates the expansion of the operational capacity of its short-range systems.

Experts point out that North Korean artillery rockets blur the distinction between conventional and non-conventional artillery. short-range ballistic missiles.
This is because they generate their own momentum and are guided during launch.
Thus, this feature enhances the strategic efficiency of the arsenal.

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Speech reinforces focus on strategic mission.

During the announcement, Kim described the pitchers as “wonderful”.
Furthermore, he stated that the systems are equipped with artificial intelligence and advanced guidance technologies.
According to him, the equipment was developed to fulfill a “strategic mission”, an expression associated with nuclear purpose.
Therefore, the speech reinforces the continuity of the military modernization program.

As also stated, the next party congress will present new plans to expand the nuclear armed forces.
Currently, according to state media, the country already has systems targeting US allies in Asia.
Furthermore, it maintains long-range missiles potentially capable of reaching continental North America.

Inter-Korean relations remain strained.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Kim’s sister, who is involved in foreign policy, commented on relations with… South Korea.
Although he acknowledged the apology from a South Korean minister regarding alleged civilian drone incursions, he stated that the North is reinforcing border security.
According to her, the South continues to be treated as an “enemy”.
Thus, the speech reaffirms the current climate of tension.

From 2019Virtually all negotiations and initiatives for inter-Korean cooperation have been suspended.
That year, nuclear diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and the then-President of the United States, Donald Trump, failed in the face of sanctions led by Washington.
Consequently, relations progressively deteriorated.

New political guidelines on the Korean peninsula

In recent years, Kim has abandoned his former goal of peaceful reunification.
In its place, it declared the existence of a hostile system of “two states” on the Korean peninsula.
This position could be institutionalized in the Workers’ Party Constitution during the next congress.
Therefore, the political and military strategy is progressing in an integrated manner.

Thus, the presentation of the new launchers occurs within a context of internal reorganization and reinforcement of nuclear capability.
Furthermore, the announcement was officially released by KCNA this Thursday, the 19th, reinforcing the message of continuity for the country’s strategic program.

What impact could this new military demonstration have on the balance of power on the Korean peninsula?