North Korea has announced the successful test launch of advanced hypersonic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening military capabilities amid escalating tensions.
Dictator Kim Jong-un asserted that the country is enhancing its nuclear deterrence capabilities by developing weapons aimed at overpowering South Korea’s defenses. The revelation of the new hypersonic missile system by North Korean state media follows reports from South Korea’s military, which detected multiple missile launches from an area south of Pyongyang. The missiles flew approximately 217 miles northeast before landing on the ground.
The missile tests coincide with the gathering of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in South Korea for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
The US Forces Korea acknowledged North Korea’s ballistic launches and its ongoing efforts to advance long-range missile capabilities. They called on North Korea to refrain from provocative actions that violate UN Security Council sanctions, reaffirming the unwavering commitment to the alliance with Seoul.
North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency disclosed that the recent launches involved two hypersonic projectiles that accurately hit a land target in the country’s northern region. The agency described the system as strategic, suggesting the missiles could be equipped with nuclear warheads.
Although the specific name of the tested missile system was not provided, Kim previously showcased new military assets, including a short-range ballistic system featuring hypersonic glide vehicles, at a military parade.
In recent years, North Korea has been conducting tests on various missile systems integrated with hypersonic technology, which enables them to travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound. The high speed and maneuverability of these weapons are intended to evade regional missile defense systems, though experts have raised concerns about the accuracy of North Korea’s speed claims during tests.
Pak Jong Chon, a senior military official in Kim’s regime present during the recent tests, commended the performance of the “cutting-edge weapon system” and affirmed the country’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities.
During a recent parade, Kim also unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile described as North Korea’s most potent nuclear asset, expanding the nation’s arsenal with the potential to target the US mainland.
Analysts suggest that North Korea might be preparing to test the new missile in the near future, possibly before a significant ruling party conference in early 2026, where Kim is expected to announce crucial policy directions, potentially impacting relations with the United States. Kim has escalated weapons testing since his failed nuclear negotiations with Trump in 2019 due to disagreements over economic sanctions.
The recent ballistic missile launches mark North Korea’s first tests since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung assumed office, promising efforts to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. Despite overtures from Lee for dialogue, Kim has rebuffed diplomatic engagement with the US, insisting on the abandonment of denuclearization goals by Washington.
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