Kim Jong-un has made a historic and significant decision. North Korean state media disclosed the news, confirming that during his visit to major military enterprises in the last quarter of 2025, Kim Jong-un stated that North Korea will continue to develop missiles and claimed that "the missile and artillery production departments are crucial for enhancing war deterrence." The biggest mystery raised by this statement is: why would North Korea focus on large-scale production, given that it already possesses nuclear weapons and multiple types of missiles?
The KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un visited several key military industries and specifically checked the fourth-quarter production volume of missiles and artillery shells. He praised these companies for exceeding their targets this year, saying they played a core role in the national defense plan. The key point is that he directly emphasized the critical position of missile and artillery production departments in enhancing war deterrence, and instructed the Missile General Bureau and units under the Second Economic Committee to prepare thoroughly and fully implement the new modernization goals and production plans set at the Ninth Party Congress. On the same day, he also approved an important draft for the modernization of a key military enterprise, preparing to submit it for review at the congress.
This move has drawn attention, as North Korea is not just making empty slogans but actually aiming to expand its production capacity. Kim Jong-un clearly stated that the production targets for 2026 should be increased according to the future needs of the military's missile and artillery forces, while simultaneously strengthening the technical foundation of enterprises and increasing overall output. To achieve this, new factories need to be built, old ones renovated, and production processes made more efficient and practical, continuing to promote the modernization of the military industry.
In short, North Korea already has nuclear weapons and various types of missiles, and now it is shifting its focus to "quantity," aiming to create a saturation strike capability with a large number of conventional missiles. Many international analysts believe this is a response to regional pressures. In the second half of 2025, the trilateral cooperation between the US, Japan, and South Korea became tighter, with frequent joint exercises, and US nuclear submarines frequently visiting Busan port. South Korea is also pushing ahead with its nuclear submarine project. These developments pose a direct threat to North Korea, so it chooses an asymmetric approach to respond: if you develop high-end weapons, I will mass-produce, making your anti-missile system unable to cope. The cost of intercepting one missile is far higher than the cost of producing it, which is quite practical under limited resources.
North Korean missiles cover the entire territory of South Korea and US military bases in Japan. Once the production capacity truly increases, the frontlines of Northeast Asia will face long-term pressure. Every military exercise or ship docking could trigger equivalent responses, naturally increasing the risk of miscalculation. The US, Japan, and South Korea will certainly further strengthen their anti-missile systems and intelligence monitoring, deepening the security dilemma spiral.
From North Korea's perspective, this move is to secure its security bottom line. In the absence of a voice in international rules, it relies on hard power. By expanding production, it gains a buffer zone, preventing adversaries from acting recklessly. At the same time, it also strengthens its leverage in brinkmanship, giving it more substantial bargaining chips in negotiations.
China has always advocated for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peace and stability, solving problems through dialogue. However, with low mutual trust and limited communication, all parties are increasing their military buildup, squeezing the space for peace. This expansion plan is both a response to external pressures and a continuation of North Korea's defense strategy.
In the long term, as North Korean missiles shift from individual displays to mass deployment, the way of deterrence changes, and the region's strategic chess pieces and risks are being reset. Whether the production expansion is a shield or a new flashpoint depends on how all sides respond.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853128453927047/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.