North Korea announced on Monday that leader Kim Jong Un oversaw test flights of hypersonic missiles, emphasising the need to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent as it ramps up weapons demonstrations ahead of a major political gathering.
The announcement came a day after neighboring countries reported multiple ballistic missile launches, condemning the tests as provocative. The launches occurred just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China to meet President Xi Jinping.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the Sunday exercise aimed to assess the readiness of a hypersonic weapons system, enhance operational skills of missile troops, and evaluate the effectiveness of the country’s war deterrent.
Kim stated that the drill confirmed a “very important technology task for national defense” and emphasised the need to continuously upgrade military capabilities, particularly offensive weapons.
Possessing operational hypersonic missiles would allow North Korea to bypass US and South Korean missile defense systems. While Pyongyang has conducted multiple tests in recent years to achieve this, foreign experts remain skeptical about whether the missiles have reached the required speed and maneuverability.
In recent weeks, the country has test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles, new anti-air missiles, and released images showing progress in building its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Analysts believe these demonstrations aim to highlight weapons development achievements ahead of the Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years, where attention will focus on potential shifts in US-North Korea relations and the resumption of stalled negotiations.
The nuclear issue is expected to feature in the Lee-Xi summit, with South Korea urging China to play a constructive role in promoting peace on the peninsula. The missile tests followed a bold US operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which North Korea criticised as evidence of American aggression.
Kim defended his nuclear ambitions, citing recent geopolitical tensions and complex international developments as justification for strengthening his country’s defense.
