North Korea test-fires hypersonic missiles, KCNA says

SEOUL — North Korea test-fired hypersonic missiles on Sunday, state media KCNA reported on Monday, to assess its military operational capability regarding war deterrence.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who oversaw the missile launch, said: “It’s a very important strategy to maintain or expand the strong and reliable nuclear deterrent,” because of “the recent geopolitical crisis and various international circumstances,” according to KCNA.

The missiles hit targets about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away, over the sea east of North Korea, KCNA said.

The South Korean military said on Sunday that North Korea fired ballistic missiles towards the sea to its east as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung started a state visit to China.

The missile launch followed a North Korean statement on Sunday that denounced the US strikes on Venezuela as a violation of that country’s sovereignty.

North Korea fired hypersonic missiles in October 2025, which analysts assumed were unveiled at a military parade along with a long-range intercontinental missile.

The test was apparently a response to US strikes on Venezuela, Hong Min, an expert on North Korea at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, wrote in a note on Monday.

The missile appears to be the Hwasong-11, which was showcased at the October parade, Mr. Hong said, citing his analysis of images published in state media reports.

Mr. Hong added that the regime is emphasizing its ability to launch such missiles at any time, an effort to complicate US-South Korea’s missile defense system and prevent its preemptive interception.— Reuters