North Korea’s Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, oversee a test-fire of a large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher system at an unknown location in North Korea. Photo: EPA/KCNA

Published: 9:30am, 31 Jan 2026Updated: 2:07pm, 31 Jan 2026

North Korea is set to use its coming Workers’ Party congress to signal an escalation towards carrying out large-scale nuclear retaliation in the event of a conflict with the US, with analysts expecting Pyongyang to unveil plans centred on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of striking American cities.

The move was foreshadowed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday, when he said he would announce next-phase plans to further strengthen the country’s “nuclear war deterrence capabilities”.

While the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has yet to mention a date for the congress, a conference of the party’s central committee on Wednesday elected delegates to attend the meeting.

Oh Gyeong-seob, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), told This Week in Asia that Pyongyang was expected to present plans for the combat deployment of nuclear weapons, including ICBMs, at the party congress.

“It will continue efforts to secure re-entry technology for ICBMs and develop multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles,” Oh said, referring to payload systems capable of allowing a single missile to carry several nuclear warheads.

Kim made his remarks while overseeing the test-firing of an upgraded large-calibre multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), which he described as being of “great significance” in improving the country’s strategic deterrence.

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say

After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say