North Korea's diversifying missile arsenal complicates South's defense
North Korea is displaying an increasingly diverse missile arsenal this year, firing from different platforms — on land, aboard warships and, according to Pyongyang, underwater from a submarine — while testing weapons designed to carry heavier warheads, maneuver to evade interception and inflict damage over wider areas. The frequency of missile tests has also increased, with 16 ballistic missile…
North Korea's missile arsenal is becoming more diverse, presenting a challenge for the South's defense capabilities. In 2025, the regime has conducted 16 ballistic missile launches by October 12, surpassing the combined totals of 2024 and 2023. The diversification is particularly concerning, as the regime has added cruise missile tests on seven occasions, involving land-based launchers, destroyers, and possibly a submarine.
This expanding arsenal provides North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's military with more options to target targets from various directions and coordinate strikes, placing a heavier burden on South Korean and U.S. defenses. However, questions persist about Pyongyang's technological claims regarding the range and capabilities of these weapons.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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