Jan 05, 2026, 08:34Jan 05, 2026, 08:34
North Korea says it tested hypersonic missiles in yesterday’s missile test. The aim of the operation was to strengthen the country’s nuclear war deterrent, the state news agency KCNA reported.
The missile is a “quasi-hypersonic missile”. (symbol image)Image: keystone
Hypersonic missiles are considered particularly dangerous because of their high flight speed, rapid maneuverability and low trajectory. North Korea has claimed to be testing these for years. However, experts doubt that the country actually has fully developed hypersonic weapon systems.
Rather, it is a “quasi-hypersonic missile,” as senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), Hong Min, told the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.
Kim justifies the test with the current geopolitical situation
According to North Korean state media, leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test on Sunday. In a statement, he justified his country’s need for nuclear war deterrence with, among other things, the “recent geopolitical crisis and complex international events.” He didn’t give any details. Kim’s comments came shortly after the US attacked Venezuela over the weekend.
The supreme political leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.Image: keystone
On Sunday, the governments of South Korea and Japan registered the launch of several ballistic missiles from North Korea. According to the South Korean military leadership, these flew around 900 kilometers towards the Sea of Japan. Seoul has not yet provided any further assessments of the missile type. (sda/dpa)
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