Pyongyang, Jan 5: North Korea successfully test-launched hypersonic missiles from Pyongyang on Sunday, striking targets in the East Sea, with leader Kim Jong-un personally overseeing the drill, state media reported on Monday.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the exercise involved a major firing strike group of the Korean People’s Army and aimed to evaluate war deterrence, weapon readiness, and mission capabilities.
Kim Jong-un hailed the drill as a demonstration of the readiness and confidence of North Korea’s nuclear forces, saying the country has put its nuclear arsenal “on a practical basis” and prepared it for “an actual war.” He stressed the importance of upgrading offensive weapon systems for self-defence, citing recent geopolitical crises and complicated international events.
Missile details and regional context
The KCNA report confirmed that the missiles hit targets 1,000 kilometers away in the East Sea, launched from Pyongyang’s Ryokpho District. While specifics of the missiles were not disclosed, South Korea’s military believes the launch involved Hwasong-11Ma hypersonic missiles, a system combining a hypersonic payload with the KN-23 missile platform.
Analysts, including the Korea Defence Forum, suggest the latest test was likely aimed at assessing the missiles’ range and low-altitude glide capability, expanding on previous tests that focused on short-range flight and precision.
Leadership presence and geopolitical signals
Accompanying Kim at the launch were Kim Jong-sik, vice department director of the ruling party’s Central Committee, and Jang Chang-ha, chief of the Missile Administration. Kim extended New Year greetings to missile forces and urged them to continue fulfilling their “sacred mission” as a reliable shield for the DPRK’s sovereignty and security.
The timing of the launch comes shortly after the US military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, which North Korea condemned as “the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty,” highlighting Pyongyang’s growing concerns over global military actions.