A modular missile system, warship testing and signs Xi will visit North Korea
North Korea News Podcast by NK NewsShow Notes
On this week’s episode, NK News Senior Analytic Correspondent Colin Zwirko discusses a busy week of developments in North Korea.
He examines Pyongyang’s latest missile test of a new modular launcher and tactical cruise missile system, as well as what these weapons could mean for military planning near the inter-Korean border. He also talks about satellite imagery suggesting North Korea’s Choe Hyon-class destroyer may be undergoing final testing near Nampho ahead of possible deployment.
The episode also looks at signs Pyongyang may be preparing to welcome a foreign leader visit amid reports of a possible Xi Jinping trip, and at how North Korea’s first large-scale solar farm aims to address energy shortages.
About the podcast: The NK News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Alannah Hill exclusively for NK News, covering the latest developments in and around North Korea. Each episode breaks down the week’s news cycle with NK News journalists, analysts and expert guests.
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Editor’s note: This interview was recorded in July 2026. Some references to recent events and political developments reflect the situation at the time of recording and may differ from subsequent developments.
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