North Korea says leader Kim Jong-un has overseen new test-flights of hypersonic missiles, reinforcing his push to strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrent as Pyongyang increases weapons activity ahead of a key political gathering.
State media reported the tests on Monday, a day after South Korea and neighbouring countries said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused the North of deliberately stoking regional tensions.
Leader Observes Tests and Defends Nuclear Expansion
According to the Korean Central News Agency, Sunday’s drill involved a hypersonic weapon system and was designed to assess combat readiness, improve the operational capabilities of missile units and evaluate the effectiveness of North Korea’s overall war deterrent.
Kim was quoted as saying the test confirmed that an important national defence objective had been achieved. He stressed the need to continue upgrading military capabilities, particularly offensive weapons systems, arguing that a stronger deterrent is essential in the current international climate.
The timing of the test was notable, coming just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China to attend a summit with President Xi Jinping.
Hypersonic Weapons Raise Stakes for Missile Defence
If successfully deployed, hypersonic weapons could allow North Korea to penetrate missile defence systems operated by the United States and South Korea. These missiles are designed to travel at extremely high speeds while remaining manoeuvrable, making them far more difficult to intercept.
North Korea has conducted multiple hypersonic-related tests in recent years, though many foreign experts remain sceptical about whether the missiles tested so far have consistently demonstrated the required speed and control.
In recent weeks, Pyongyang has also tested what it described as long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air systems, and released images suggesting progress on its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Political Signals Ahead of Major Party Congress
Analysts believe the latest round of weapons displays is aimed at highlighting North Korea’s military advances ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, the first such meeting in five years.
Attention is focused on whether Kim might use the congress to outline a new approach toward the United States, including the possibility of revisiting long-stalled denuclearisation talks.
The missile launches followed a dramatic US military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the United States to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. North Korea condemned the move, calling it another example of what it described as US hostility.
Many experts say such developments are likely to reinforce Kim’s belief that expanding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal is crucial to safeguarding his government and national sovereignty. During Sunday’s drill, Kim argued that recent geopolitical crises and complex international events clearly demonstrate the need for a stronger nuclear deterrent.
