Kim Jong Un says North Korea to pursue missile development over next five years

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang will continue missile development over the next five years, approving plans to modernise major munitions factories.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country will continue developing missiles over the next five years, underscoring Pyongyang’s focus on strengthening its military capabilities despite international pressure.

State media reported on Friday, December 26, that Kim made the remarks while visiting major munitions manufacturing companies, where he approved draft plans aimed at modernising the country’s large-scale arms production facilities.

According to the report, the documents will be presented to a ruling Workers’ Party congress scheduled for early 2026, which is expected to outline North Korea’s national development strategy for the next five years.

Kim said missile and artillery shell production plays a vital role in bolstering the country’s “war deterrence,” highlighting the importance of expanding weapons output amid heightened regional tensions.

The announcement comes as North Korea continues to showcase advances in its military-industrial sector, signalling that defence priorities remain central to state planning.

North Korea has accelerated weapons development in recent years, conducting frequent missile tests in defiance of United Nations sanctions imposed over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The upcoming party congress is widely seen as a key political event where Pyongyang will formalise economic and military goals, including defence modernisation, under Kim’s leadership.

In a separate report earlier this week, state media said Kim inspected the construction of a submarine and observed tests of long-range air defence missiles, accompanied by his daughter, who has been increasingly described by analysts as a potential future successor.

Analysts say the continued emphasis on missile development suggests North Korea is unlikely to shift away from its military-first strategy, even as sanctions and diplomatic isolation persist.

Pyongyang’s latest moves are expected to raise concerns among regional neighbours and the United States, adding to fears of further instability on the Korean Peninsula.

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