North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s visit to strategic missile bases, as reported by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), appears to be a calculated show of military strength just weeks before the U.S. presidential election. Standing beside intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), Kim emphasized the need for the military to maintain readiness to strike back against threats from the U.S. He particularly noted the “ever-increasing” threat posed by U.S. nuclear assets, reinforcing the necessity for North Korea to enhance its war deterrence capabilities. 

Historically, North Korea has used periods of U.S. electoral activity to heighten tensions or showcase its military advancements, and this latest inspection visit seems intended to remind global powers of Pyongyang’s strategic might. The ICBMs, like the solid-fuel Hwasong-18—tested in December 2023—are crucial to North Korea’s nuclear strategy. These missiles can be launched quickly, making them harder to intercept and potentially carrying multiple warheads.

However, questions remain about the actual effectiveness of North Korea’s ICBMs, particularly their ability to evade U.S. missile defense systems and whether their warheads can survive reentry into the atmosphere. The visit occurs amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, exacerbated by ongoing disputes between North and South Korea and allegations that North Korea has sent troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. These developments further underline the region’s volatility and the strategic timing of North Korea’s display of military readiness.