North Korea Parades Kim Jong Un Driving 600mm Rocket Launcher Ahead of Key Party Congress

Pyongyang – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took the wheel of a nuclear-capable 600mm multiple rocket launcher during a military display in Pyongyang, showcasing the regime’s growing arsenal ahead of the Ninth Party Congress.

State media reported that Kim personally drove the wheeled launcher in front of thousands of munition workers, calling the weapon “a game-changer in modern artillery” and claiming it surpasses the capabilities of short-range ballistic missiles.

“No other nation has this kind of weapon system,” Kim said, according to KCNA, North Korea’s state news agency.

Military Spectacle
The display featured 50 rocket launchers lined up in rows, each vehicle carrying five 600mm rockets. Red banners and signs marking the upcoming party congress framed the event. The rockets are reported to incorporate artificial intelligence guidance systems, amplifying their destructive potential.

North Korea routinely stages such demonstrations to bolster Kim’s domestic image and send strategic warnings abroad. Analysts note the timing coincides with the upcoming party congress, a period when Pyongyang often intensifies its military propaganda.

Weapons Development and Regional Tensions
The 600mm rocket system, double the size of most conventional multiple rocket launchers, reportedly places all of South Korea within range and can carry tactical nuclear warheads. While international experts estimate North Korea has roughly 50 nuclear warheads, the regime continues to expand both its nuclear and conventional artillery capabilities.

Kim also hinted at further weapons unveilings, urging missile engineers and munitions workers to advance Pyongyang’s self-reliant defense strategy.

Experts warn North Korea’s 6,000 artillery pieces could inflict catastrophic civilian casualties in the event of conflict with South Korea. RAND Corporation research in 2020 suggested that a full-scale artillery assault could potentially kill over 10,000 people in just an hour.

Geopolitical Implications
The demonstration comes amid continued North Korean support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict and rising tensions with Seoul, backed by tens of thousands of US troops. Analysts say lessons from North Korea’s cooperation with Moscow may enhance its missile accuracy and military tactics, increasing risks for regional security.