SEOUL: North Korea conducted a test launch of “cutting-edge” hypersonic missiles on Monday, with state media reporting that the exercise was overseen by leader Kim Jong Un.
The test was framed as a demonstration of Pyongyang’s nuclear forces readiness, coming amid heightened tensions following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which North Korea condemned as a “serious encroachment of sovereignty.”
Seoul and Tokyo confirmed on Sunday that two ballistic missiles had been launched from near Pyongyang, marking North Korea’s first test of the year, according to AFP.
The timing coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s departure to Beijing for a summit, where he hopes to leverage China’s influence to improve inter-Korean ties.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying the test demonstrated “the readiness of the DPRK’s nuclear forces,” referring to North Korea by its 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 cited Kim as saying.
Pyongyang’s missile activity, Kim added, was “aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis.” State media released photos showing Kim, puffing on a cigarette, alongside top officials as a missile soared into the early morning sky.
“Why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events,” Kim said, signaling concern over Washington’s weekend operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. operation represents a strategic nightmare scenario for North Korea’s leadership, which has long feared a “decapitation strike” aimed at removing its top leadership.
Pyongyang condemned the Venezuelan operation as a “serious encroachment of sovereignty” and described it as evidence of Washington’s “rogue and brutal nature.”
War Deterrent
North Korea has long framed its nuclear and missile programs as a defensive deterrent against perceived regime-change efforts by the United States.
Sunday’s launch “can be interpreted as a message signalling that Pyongyang possesses a war deterrent and nuclear capabilities, unlike Venezuela,” said Hong Min, an analyst at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification.
He noted that Kim had visited a facility involved in manufacturing tactical guided weapons, highlighting Pyongyang’s ability to conduct precise strikes from various platforms, including air and ground.
The hypersonic missile system, first tested in October, is capable of traveling at more than five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making interception extremely difficult.
Experts point to recent deployments of hypersonic weapons in Ukraine by Russia, as well as by Iran against Israel, demonstrating the destructive potential of these missiles.
North Korea has deepened its ties with both Russia and Iran in recent years, further strengthening its missile capabilities.
