Kim Jong-un boasts of North Korea’s military power, shows off his new nuclear rocket and celebrates economic improvement

This Thursday, during an event prior to the start of the IX Congress of the single party of North Korea, Kim boasted of the military power of the Asian country, in an event held on the esplanade in front of the House of Culture in Pyongyang, held together with the army.

With the North Korean dictator at the helm, according to information released by the state agency KCNA, during This exhibition featured a series of large-caliber self-propelled rockets.which would be the last major nuclear weapon that the hermit regime has.

North Korea’s supreme leader praised this new rocket launcher, describing it as an exceptional weapons system that combines the precision of a tactical ballistic missile with the burst fire capability of multiple artillery.

At the same time, the North Korean leader has warned that it is the “most powerful intensive attack system in the world.”

During the ceremony, he applauded the work of “the workers of the arms industry” of the country and stressed that this new battery of rocket launchers constitutes “the most valuable gift for the glorious congress of the party”, stressing that its purpose is to reinforce the national security of the Asian State.

This Friday, during the inauguration of the Congress, the North Korean president celebrated “the economic improvement” of the countrywhile welcoming the weight that North Korea is gaining in the region, thanks to strategic ties with Russia and China.

Kim, facing its fifteenth year in power, is in a much stronger position than when it last convened the congress in 2021when the country was suffering economic paralysis, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its failed diplomatic strategy with the United States.

At that time, admitted economic failures and presented a five-year development plan until 2025in which he urged economic self-sufficiency through mass mobilization. In addition, he opted to redouble nuclear ambitions and expand ties with his main allies, Russia and China.

Currently, The Pyongyang regime seems less isolated and more securebacked by closer ties, especially with Russia, a large nuclear arsenal feared by the world’s major powers and an economy that is gradually improving in external eyes.

During the inauguration of the IX Congress of the Workers’ Party, he was optimistic about the future of the country: “The worst times” are officially behind us, and a “new era” is dawninghe stated.

The North Korean dictator, in power since 2011, stressed the effort that the executive has made during the last five yearsto be able to reverse the economic course, while pointing out that “a change of era” has been achieved.

“There has never been a period like this, in which we achieved such great successes despite the harshness of the trials and difficulties,” he noted.

Photographs released by state media have shown the veteran leader dressed in a Western-style suit and tie, a detail that marks a contrast with the previous congress of the single party, in which he opted for the traditional dark attire associated with communist aesthetics.

With her hair neatly combed back, Kim addressed an auditorium packed with nearly 5,000 Labor Party delegates.

According to a UN report, the North Korean regime has become one of the most restrictive environments on the planet in terms of fundamental freedoms. “No other population is subject to such restrictions in the world today,” the study states.

The document warned, among other things, that The regime has significantly increased the use of the death penalty in the last decadewith executions that even reach those who consume or broadcast films, series or music from countries considered “hostile” by the authorities.

The most important shift made by the Pyongyang regime has been the rapprochement with Russia, its main ally abroad. During the congress, the leader praised the economic progress that the country has achieved, thanks to Russian economic support in recent years.

In June 2024, the North Korean leader and the Russian president, Vladimir Putinsealed an association agreement that includes a mutual defense treaty in case of external aggression and agreed to send North Korean soldiers and military material to help the Kremlin in its offensive against Ukraine.

In this context, only tourists from Russia are allowed to enter North Korea, according to Rowan Beard, from Young Pioneer Tours, a company specialized in trips to the country.

Military presence in Ukraine

In exchange for this compromise reached between North Korea and Russia, it is believed that, in return, Moscow is helping the Pyongyang regime in different aspects. Firstly, information would be received from the Kremlin technology related to nuclear weapons and military resources.

Furthermore, the rapprochement between Russia and North Korea goes beyond the military and would include the supply of food and energy resources by Moscowwhich has relieved economic pressure on the North Korean regime in a context marked by sanctions and the limited ability to reach trade agreements with other markets.

Military cooperation between these two allies has resulted in broad support from the North Korean regime in Ukraine, with a large deployment of soldiers in Ukrainian territory.

According to the NIS, South Korea’s Intelligence Service, the North Korean contingent deployed in the Russian Kursk region, close to the front line, It would be around 11,000 North Korean troops and estimates that nearly 6,000 of them have died or been injured.

In parallel with this information, leader Kim Jong-un has in recent months intensified public acts of recognition and tribute to the combatants, in a gesture interpreted as political support for their participation.

In this line, the own Volodímir Zelenskipresident of Ukraine, has denounced the threat to the world that North Korean soldiers are in Russia, receiving training in hybrid warfare tactics, before being sent to the front in different combat zones in Ukraine.

Among some of the activities that they would be learning in Russia’s military camps, there are various techniques to counter missiles and various types of drones.

The Ukrainian leader has estimated the number of fighters from North Korea who have been displaced to Russia at around 10,000.

In addition, he has warned of the danger of these soldiers receiving these instructions and noted that at least some of that experience will return to North Korea, which would have implications for security beyond the current conflict.

It should be noted that Kim Jong-un has repeatedly defended the expansion and modernization of the North Korean arsenal, including nuclear weapons, in the face of a possible confrontation with South Korea and the United States.

Along these lines, Pyongyang has increased its tests with ballistic missiles, defying the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, while at the same time it has increased research in nuclear technology, hand in hand with its Russian ally.