Kim orders nuclear power to be boosted

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the country to further strengthen its nuclear warhead. With the goal of emerging as a super-nuclear power, he stressed the "unrestricted and sustainable" development of nuclear power. He gave the instructions while directly observing the test launch of a long-range strategic cruise missile on Sunday (December 28), according to the country's state media.

According to Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, Korea's state news agency KCNA said on Monday (December 29) that the missiles launched in Sunday's test successfully hit the designated target after crossing the sea route west of the Korean Peninsula. Kim Jong Un expressed satisfaction with the test results.

Kim Jong Un said that regularly testing the reliability of nuclear deterrence is a "responsible and necessary step" in the current security situation. He stressed that North Korea will continue all efforts to further strengthen its nuclear warhead.

Meanwhile, Pyongyang is preparing to hold an important congress of the ruling Workers' Party at the beginning of the new year. The congress will determine the national development plan for the next five years, KCNA said. It is believed that the increase in military and nuclear capabilities will also be of particular importance there.

On the other hand, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the South Korean military detected multiple missile launches from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning. They warned that North Korea could conduct more missile tests by the end of the year.

Earlier, Kim Jong Un inspected a nuclear-powered missile submarine under construction. At that time, he said that South Korea's plan to build nuclear submarines is a direct threat to North Korea and will be responded to appropriately. Analysts fear that these recent activities may further increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula.