North Korea confirms successful test-launch of hypersonic ballistic missile

A new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead is being fired in Pyongyang on Jan. 6, 2025, in this photo released by the North's state-run Korea Central News Agency the following day.

SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - North Korea said on Tuesday that it had successfully test-launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead.

"The hypersonic glide vehicle of the missile fired northeastward at a launching ground in a suburb of Pyongyang..... accurately landed on the waters of simulated target," the renegade country's state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, confirming its IRBM launch the previous day.

According to KCNA, Kim, who observed the launch, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, expressed "great satisfaction" with the launch, touting "The hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region that can affect the security of our state."

"The current test-fire proved without doubt that we are actively developing such powerful new-type weapon systems as intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile to cope with different security threats the hostile forces posed to our state at present," he added. 

Monday's launch came just a few weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, in an apparent bid to draw attention to itself.

It also coincided with comments from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who warned that Russia may provide advanced space and satellite technology to North Korea in exchange for weapons and other military supplies from Pyongyang, during his visit to Seoul as part of his Asia trip.