North Korea has announced new tests of hypersonic missiles, with leader Kim Jong-un personally observing the launches and calling for a continued expansion of the country’s nuclear deterrent. The tests come as Pyongyang intensifies weapons demonstrations ahead of a major ruling party meeting.
State media released details of the drill on Monday, one day after South Korea and regional allies said they detected several ballistic missile launches and accused the North of deliberate provocation.
Kim Oversees Launches Amid Rising Regional Tensions
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Sunday’s exercise involved a hypersonic weapon system and was intended to assess combat readiness, improve the operational capabilities of missile units and evaluate the overall strength of North Korea’s war deterrent.
Kim was quoted as saying the test confirmed that a “very important technology task for national defence” had been completed. He stressed the need for constant upgrades to the military, with particular emphasis on offensive weapons systems.
The timing of the launch was notable, taking place just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for talks with President Xi Jinping.
Hypersonic Missiles and Their Strategic Impact
A fully functional hypersonic missile would significantly enhance North Korea’s ability to bypass missile defence systems operated by the United States and South Korea. These weapons are designed to travel at extremely high speeds while remaining manoeuvrable, making them difficult to track and intercept.
While North Korea has carried out multiple hypersonic-related tests in recent years, many international experts remain unconvinced that the technology has reached the level Pyongyang claims. Questions persist over whether the missiles tested so far have consistently achieved the required speed and manoeuvrability.
Beyond hypersonic weapons, North Korea has recently tested long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-aircraft systems. It has also released images suggesting progress on what would be its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Party Congress Looms as Global Tensions Shape Kim’s Strategy
Observers believe the latest missile activity is aimed at highlighting advances in weapons development ahead of the Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years. The meeting is expected to serve as a platform for Kim to review achievements and possibly outline future policy directions.
There is growing interest in whether Kim will signal a shift in relations with Washington or revisit long-stalled denuclearisation talks. However, recent global events may push him further in the opposite direction.
The missile tests followed a dramatic US military operation over the weekend that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. North Korea strongly criticised the operation, calling it further evidence of what it described as US hostility.
Many analysts say such developments reinforce Kim’s belief that nuclear weapons are essential to protecting his government and national sovereignty. During Sunday’s drill, Kim defended his nuclear programme, saying its importance was highlighted by “recent geopolitical crises and complicated international events.”
