North Korea announced it launched "cutting-edge" hypersonic missiles under Kim Jong Un’s supervision, saying the drills put its nuclear forces on a wartime footing amid a "geopolitical crisis," an apparent nod to a reported US operation in Venezuela. Seoul and Tokyo detected two ballistic missiles — the country's first test of the year — as South Korea's leader traveled to Beijing. Analysts say the launches aim to demonstrate a practical war deterrent and improved precision strike capabilities after initial hypersonic trials in October.
North Korea Fires Hypersonic Missiles; Kim Says Nuclear Forces ‘Ready for War’ Amid Geopolitical Tensions
This picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) inspecting a missile launch exercise in Pyongyang (STR)(STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch of what state media described as "cutting-edge" hypersonic missiles, saying the exercises were intended to bring Pyongyang's nuclear forces to a wartime footing amid a "geopolitical crisis," an apparent reference to a reported US operation in Venezuela.
Seoul and Tokyo reported detecting two ballistic missiles fired from near Pyongyang on Sunday — North Korea's first weapons test of the year — which came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for Beijing for a summit.
KCNA Statement And Leadership Remarks
On Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying the launches demonstrated "the readiness of the DPRK's nuclear forces," using the country’s official name. "Important achievements have been recently made in putting our nuclear forces on a practical basis and preparing them for an actual war," KCNA quoted him as saying.
State photographs showed Kim smoking a cigarette while flanked by senior officials as a missile streaked into the early morning sky. KCNA said the activity was intended "to gradually put the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis." The report framed the launches as a response to what Pyongyang called a deteriorating international situation.
Regional Context And Reactions
Seoul and Tokyo monitored the launches and issued routine condemnations of provocative weapons tests. South Korea's leader was traveling to Beijing — where he said he hoped to enlist Chinese influence to help stabilise relations with Pyongyang — when the launches were detected.
Pyongyang condemned the reported US operation in Venezuela as a "serious encroachment of sovereignty" and said it confirmed the "rogue and brutal nature" of Washington, reflecting long-standing North Korean fears of so-called decapitation strikes and regime-change operations.
Weapons, Capability And Analysis
North Korea first tested a hypersonic weapon system in October. Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 and can manoeuvre during flight, making them harder to detect and intercept than many traditional ballistic weapons. Analysts say the system aims to improve Pyongyang's ability to deliver more precise strikes from multiple platforms.
"Sunday's launch can be interpreted as a message signalling that Pyongyang possesses a war deterrent and nuclear capabilities," said Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification, citing state reports that Kim inspected a facility producing tactical guided weapons.
Similar weapons have been used in recent conflicts: Russian forces deployed hypersonic or advanced manoeuvring weapons in Ukraine, and Iran has employed precision missiles in strikes against Israel, developments that analysts say underscore growing regional and global proliferation risks.
Bottom line: The launches underline North Korea's ongoing push to mature its missile forces and signal deterrence amid heightened regional tensions. International response and diplomatic efforts — including Seoul's outreach to Beijing — will shape next steps.
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