North Korea uses Hypersonic Test to Flex Military Muscle on Eve of APEC Meeting
Kim’s new weapons aim to outsmart South Korea’s defenses.
North Korea sent a chilling message on Thursday, announcing that its latest missile tests showcased a new hypersonic weapon system designed to bolster its nuclear war deterrent and challenge South Korea’s missile defenses. The launches, fired from an area south of Pyongyang, saw two high-speed projectiles soar approximately 350 kilometers before striking a land target with pinpoint accuracy, escalating tensions just days before global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, gather in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
The tests mark North Korea’s first ballistic missile firings since South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung took office in June, promising to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, Kim Jong Un has rejected dialogue, insisting the U.S. abandon its denuclearization demands. The hypersonic missiles, capable of flying over five times the speed of sound with evasive maneuvers, are built to dodge regional defense systems, raising fears about their potential to carry nuclear warheads. North Korea’s military hailed the tests as a success, with top official Pak Jong Chon praising the “cutting-edge” system and vowing to further strengthen the nation’s arsenal.
These launches follow a recent military parade where Kim unveiled an array of advanced weaponry, including a massive intercontinental ballistic missile touted as his most powerful nuclear asset, potentially capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Speculation is rife that a long-range test could be imminent, possibly timed to coincide with a major ruling party conference in early 2026, where Kim is expected to outline his next moves.
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The U.S. military condemned the launches as “unlawful and destabilizing,” reaffirming its unwavering support for South Korea. The tests have rattled nerves across the region, with Japan heightening its air patrols and local communities in South Korea bracing for potential escalations. For North Koreans, state propaganda framed the event as a triumph, while South Korean border towns ramped up evacuation drills amid growing unease.
As Kim accelerates his weapons program—following the collapse of nuclear talks with the U.S. in 2019—these hypersonic tests signal a dangerous new chapter. With their speed and agility, the missiles could shift the balance of power, challenging defenses and raising the stakes for miscalculation.
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