North Korea’s military leadership is prioritizing the battlefield deployment of miniaturized nuclear warheads and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payloads ahead of the Ninth Party Congress, following a direct order from Kim Jong Un.<\/p>\n
“The Munitions Industry Department received a directive from the Supreme Leader,” a Daily NK source said recently, “ordering the final research for deploying miniaturized nuclear warheads and MIRV payloads by the end of this year\u2014the final year of the Eighth Party Congress\u2014before the Ninth Party Congress begins.” The directive was immediately communicated to affiliated party committees.<\/p>\n
In his order, Kim designated the completion of the country’s nuclear and missile technology\u2014which has steadily advanced over the past five years\u2014as the state’s most critical objective. Notably, he emphasized accelerating research and development on miniaturized nuclear warheads and MIRV payloads without requiring a nuclear test.<\/p>\n
North Korea plans to complete simulation inspections of miniaturized warhead and MIRV technology in the first half of the year. By the second half, it intends to conduct final technological evaluations through ICBM and SLBM test launches between July and September, using non-explosive tests to assess the technology’s readiness before potential field deployment by year’s end.<\/p>\n
“Since receiving the directive, the Academy of National Defense Science has been analyzing data from the nation’s six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017 to assess warhead reliability,” the source explained. The academy has distributed specific timelines to relevant agencies, pushing to complete the technology within the year through simulations, non-explosive tests, and missile launches.<\/p>\n
The regime is employing multiple technical approaches to develop miniature warhead and MIRV technology without nuclear tests. The focus includes examining detonation system capabilities through high-explosive and non-critical nuclear tests, and testing reentry vehicle guidance using supercomputer simulations.<\/p>\n
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper recently reported a significant milestone: on June 26, 2024, the Missile Administration “successfully conducted the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads”\u2014a crucial step in rapidly advancing missile technologies.<\/p>\n
These moves appear strategically designed to continuously advance nuclear weapons capabilities while avoiding international sanctions. The approach seemingly aims to reduce diplomatic pressure by perfecting the technology without a nuclear test, while simultaneously demonstrating a strengthened nuclear arsenal before the Ninth Party Congress.<\/p>\n
However, North Korea is keeping options open. The regime may still conduct additional nuclear tests if deemed necessary in the final stages before battlefield deployment, further consolidating its “independent nuclear armament” strategy.<\/p>\n
Despite making miniaturized nuclear warhead and MIRV technology development a top national priority, the possibility of an additional test to enhance technical reliability remains. Some experts argue that the current testing approach has limitations.<\/p>\n
“Scientists and researchers suggest that MIRV payload separation and guidance technology is still in its initial stages,” the source noted. “Securing stable reentry vehicles will be challenging, and continuous research may necessitate further testing next year.”<\/p>\n