North Korea deepens ties with China and Russia while flexing its nuclear-powered military strategy, as Kim Jong Un oversees missile tests, hosts a top Chinese diplomat, and prepares for a pivotal party congress.
A series of diplomatic meetings and military demonstrations highlight Pyongyang's dual-track approach of engagement with its allies and aggressive weapons development.
Diplomatic Engagement with China
Meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Pyongyang on Friday, according to North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The meeting was part of Wang Yi's two-day visit to North Korea, his first in seven years. Wang Yi arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday and earlier met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui. State media from both countries reported they discussed ways to facilitate further cooperation and exchanges, holding "in-depth" talks on international issues.
Statements and Positions
According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un expressed support for China's "one-China principle" regarding Taiwan and stated that North Korea will fully support Chinese efforts to achieve territorial integrity. Kim voiced support for China's push to build a "multipolar world" and called for deeper ties between North Korea and China. He said sustained development of ties between the two countries has become more crucial in the current geopolitical environment. Kim also outlined North Korea's position on unspecified regional and international issues of "mutual concern."
Wang Yi stated that relations between North Korea and China were entering a "new phase" following a summit between Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023.
Context of Relations
North Korea and China resumed direct flight and passenger train services last month, which had been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The state media outlets did not mention whether Wang Yi and North Korean officials discussed issues related to the United States or the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Wang Yi's trip to North Korea preceded a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. Some South Korean officials have expressed hope the Trump-Xi meeting could provide a diplomatic opening with Pyongyang.
Naval Military Developments
Missile Tests from Destroyer Choe Hyon
Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests from the destroyer Choe Hyon on Sunday, according to state media reports. The tests involved two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles. State media reported the cruise missiles flew for over two hours and the anti-ship missiles for over 30 minutes along pre-set trajectories over the country's western seas before striking their targets.
This was the third round of missile tests conducted from this vessel, following two previous rounds supervised by Kim last month. Photos released by state media showed Kim and other officials observing the launches from a pier.
Statements on Military Expansion
Kim Jong Un stated the government remains focused on the "limitless expansion" of its nuclear forces. He issued unspecified new tasks to sharpen the country's nuclear attack and rapid-response capabilities. Kim reviewed weapons system plans for the third and fourth destroyers currently under construction.
According to state media, Kim Jong Un said the development of the Choe Hyon represents a major step toward expanding the operational reach and preemptive strike capabilities of the military.
Technical Specifications and Background
The Choe Hyon is a 5,000-ton-class destroyer first unveiled in April 2025. State media says it is designed to carry weapons systems including anti-air and anti-ship weapons, as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles.
North Korea unveiled a second destroyer of the same class, the Kang Kon, in May 2024. It was damaged during a launch attempt at Chongjin port but was reportedly relaunched in June 2024 after repairs. A third destroyer is under construction at the Nampo shipyard and is expected to be completed by October 2025. Kim also reviewed plans for a fourth destroyer.
South Korean officials and some experts have suggested the Choe Hyon was likely built with Russian assistance, though some experts question its readiness for active service. Outside experts have questioned whether the Kang Kon destroyer is fully operational.
Additional Naval and Artillery Announcements
North Korea announced plans to deploy new long-range artillery systems capable of striking South Korea's capital region within the year. Kim Jong Un visited a munitions factory to inspect production of 155-mm self-propelled gun-howitzers, which he stated have a striking range exceeding 60 km (37 miles). Kim stated that the extended range will provide "a great change and advantage" in the land operations of our army. He also mentioned plans to deploy additional operational and tactical missile systems and multiple rocket launchers along the border.
The country will commission its first naval destroyer in mid-June, according to state media. KCNA reported Kim rode on the destroyer Choe Hyon to review its maneuverability and ordered the ship to be handed over to the navy in mid-June as scheduled. Photos showed Kim's teenage daughter on the destroyer.
Other Weapons Developments
Solid-Fuel Engine Test
Kim Jong Un observed a ground jet test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine, which the country claims is for weapons capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, according to state media reports. The engine utilizes a composite carbon fiber material and achieved a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, an increase from approximately 1,970 kilonewtons reported in a similar test conducted in September. KCNA did not specify the date or exact location of the test.
Kim Jong Un reportedly stated that the latest engine test holds "great significance in putting the country's strategic military muscle on the highest level." KCNA indicated the test is part of the country's five-year arms build-up plan aimed at upgrading its "strategic strike means," a term that includes nuclear-capable ballistic missiles and other advanced weaponry.
Solid-fuel missiles are generally considered more agile, mobile, and harder to detect than liquid-fuel counterparts, which typically require fueling before launch.
Some experts express skepticism regarding North Korea's claims. Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, suggested the report could be "bluffing" due to the absence of key information, such as the engine's total combustion time.
Context of Recent Weapons Tests
The missile tests from the Choe Hyon add to a series of recent weapons tests by North Korea. Last week, North Korea conducted tests that state media said involved various new weapons systems, including ballistic missiles armed with cluster-bomb warheads.
North Korea has conducted tests of various ICBMs in recent years, demonstrating potential range to reach the U.S. mainland, including solid-fuel variants. The Hwasong-20, described by state media as North Korea's "most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system," was displayed during an October 2025 military parade.
Political Developments
Upcoming Workers' Party Congress
North Korea's state media announced that the country's leadership will convene a party congress in late February 2026. The decision was made during a meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) top leaders, including Kim Jong Un. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee approved the opening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK in Pyongyang.
The last party congress, the eighth, occurred in January 2021. During that event, Kim Jong Un was appointed the party's General Secretary. Party congresses serve as the ruling party's highest gathering, providing a platform for policy announcements or personnel changes.
KCNA reported that late last month, Kim Jong Un supervised a missile test from a multiple rocket launcher and stated that future plans to strengthen the country's nuclear war deterrent would be detailed at the upcoming congress. Lee Ho-ryung, a principal researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, suggested that Kim is expected to announce the goal of maximizing nuclear operational capability at the upcoming congress.
Diplomatic Stance and Relations
Kim Jong Un has suspended all meaningful dialogue with the United States and South Korea since the collapse of his diplomacy with former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. Kim has taken a hard-line stance toward South Korea, which he now defines as North Korea's "most hostile" adversary. He has rejected U.S. offers to resume talks, calling on Washington to drop its demand for North Korea's denuclearization as a precondition.
During a February Workers' Party congress, Kim Jong Un indicated openness to dialogue with the United States but maintained that Washington must drop demands for North Korea's nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.
International Relations
Russia has been a foreign policy priority for North Korea in recent years. North Korea has sent troops and weapons shipments to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to reports. In 2024, North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defense treaty. North Korea has also deepened ties with China, its traditional main ally and economic lifeline. Kim Jong Un attended a World War II ceremony in Beijing in September 2023 with Russian President Vladimir Putin and held his first summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in six years in 2023.
Affirmation of Nuclear Status
Parliamentary Address
Kim Jong Un addressed the Supreme People's Assembly, affirming the country's intent to permanently establish its status as a nuclear power. He reiterated a hard-line stance toward South Korea, labeling it the "most hostile" state. Kim accused the United States of global "state terrorism and aggression," an apparent reference to the conflict in the Middle East. He indicated that North Korea would adopt a more assertive role in a unified opposition against Washington.
Kim stated that North Korea is prepared to respond to any choice made by its adversaries, whether it be "confrontation or peaceful coexistence." He urged Washington to remove its demands for North Korea's nuclear disarmament as a precondition for discussions.
Constitutional Changes
State media reported that the Supreme People's Assembly concluded its two-day session after passing a revised constitution. Specific changes were not detailed, but there were expectations the revisions would codify South Korea as a permanent enemy and eliminate references to shared nationhood. This aligns with Kim's 2024 declaration that North Korea would abandon its long-term goal of peaceful unification with the South.
Budget and Economic Priorities
Lawmakers approved a 2026 state budget that allocates 15.8% of total expenditure to defense, with explicit funding for expanding nuclear deterrence and war-fighting capabilities. Kim outlined economic priorities, urging officials to implement a new five-year development plan focusing on modernizing industry, increasing electricity and coal production, boosting food output, and expanding housing construction nationwide.
International assessments describe North Korea as one of the world's poorest countries, with an economy heavily impacted by sanctions and chronic shortages. However, South Korean analysts indicate the North's economy may have improved over the past five years, attributed to a gradual recovery in trade with China and an industrial boost from arms exports to Russia.