North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has publicly stated that any use of nuclear weapons by Pyongyang would be met with a nuclear response. This warning follows the launch of the Hwaseong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, a move that the regime described through radio broadcasts such as Voice of Korea as a clear demonstration of its advancing strategic capabilities.
In his remarks, Kim Jong-un reiterated a harsh policy stance, underscoring that nuclear weapons would be deployed in retaliation to any nuclear attack or existential challenge. The message conveyed a readiness to escalate to open conflict if faced with perceived aggression, a line he has repeatedly drawn in speeches that frame the country’s deterrent strategy as essential for regime survival and deterrence against external pressures.
The North Korean leadership also emphasized that the rapid readiness of the country’s strategic armed forces must be maintained with strict discipline. This emphasis, according to state channels, aims to ensure that Pyongyang is prepared for armed conflicts and wars of various kinds at any moment, reflecting a long-standing priority on deterrence through credible, ready forces.
Previously, North Korea announced a successful test of the Hwaseong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile on March 16, highlighting the system as a key component of its modernized missile program. This test was described by official media as a demonstration of improved range, accuracy, and payload capabilities, signaling a continued push to expand the reach of Pyongyang’s strategic arsenal.
South Korean authorities and regional monitors reported that North Korea appeared to launch a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan. The incident was corroborated by the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency, which noted that there were no reported injuries or damage to civilian transport or aviation in the airspace and sea areas affected by the trajectory. Such launches continue to raise regional tensions and provoke responses from neighboring governments and alliance partners across the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Video footage circulated by DEA News purportedly shows the flight of a North Korean missile captured from a Japanese F-15 fighter jet, illustrating how close regional forces track and document each test. The release of such imagery contributes to a broader public record of Pyongyang’s missile activity and the ongoing debate over how best to monitor and respond to these developments while avoiding misinterpretations that could escalate tensions further.