North Korea said Thursday that its latest missile launches successfully tested a new hypersonic system designed to strengthen its nuclear war deterrent, as leader Kim Jong Un continues to expand weapons intended to overcome South Korea’s defenses.
The announcement by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) came a day after South Korea’s military detected the North firing multiple missiles from an area south of Pyongyang. The projectiles reportedly flew about 350 kilometers northeast before landing on land.
The launches occurred just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Seoul.
In a statement, the U.S. Forces Korea said it was “fully aware” of North Korea’s ballistic launches and its “relentless pursuit of long-range missile capabilities.” It called on Pyongyang to stop “unlawful and destabilizing actions” in violation of U.N. Security Council sanctions, adding that Washington’s commitment to its alliance with Seoul remains “ironclad.”
KCNA said the tests involved two hypersonic projectiles that accurately struck a land target in the country’s northern region. It described the new system as strategic — indicating the missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads.
While KCNA didn’t name the missile system, Kim earlier this month showcased several new weapons at a military parade, including what appeared to be a short-range ballistic system equipped with hypersonic glide vehicles.
In recent years, North Korea has tested various hypersonic systems capable of flying at more than five times the speed of sound. Such missiles are intended to outmaneuver regional defense systems, though experts have questioned whether the North’s weapons consistently reach the claimed speeds.
North Korea conducts ballistic missile tests ahead of Trump’s Asia visit
Pak Jong Chon, a senior military official who oversaw Wednesday’s launches, hailed the “new cutting-edge weapon system” and said Pyongyang would continue to strengthen its nuclear deterrence and defense capabilities.
During the Oct. 10 parade, Kim also unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) described by state media as the country’s most powerful nuclear weapon, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Analysts say the North could test the missile in the coming weeks ahead of a major ruling party conference in early 2026, when Kim is expected to announce new policy directions, possibly including his stance toward Washington.
Kim has sharply accelerated weapons testing since his high-profile nuclear talks with Trump collapsed in 2019 over disagreements about U.S.-led sanctions.
Wednesday’s launches marked the North’s first ballistic missile tests since liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, pledging to restore peace on the peninsula. But Kim has rejected Lee’s offers for dialogue and said he won’t return to talks with the U.S. unless Washington abandons its push for North Korea’s denuclearization.