Post by : Meena Ariff

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test firing of hypersonic missiles on Sunday, marking the country’s first ballistic missile test of the year and reinforcing Pyongyang’s focus on strengthening its nuclear deterrence.

According to state media, Kim described the test as a critical strategic step to maintain and further develop a “strong and reliable” nuclear deterrent. He linked the move to recent global developments and rising geopolitical tensions, though no specific crisis was directly named.

Military authorities confirmed that the missiles travelled approximately 1,000 kilometres before striking targets in waters east of the Korean Peninsula. The launch coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to China, North Korea’s closest diplomatic ally.

On the same day, Pyongyang issued a statement condemning recent U.S. military strikes on Venezuela, calling them a violation of national sovereignty. Analysts believe the missile test may be intended as a response to those actions and as a signal to Washington and its allies.

Hypersonic missiles are designed to travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound while manoeuvring at lower altitudes than traditional ballistic missiles. Experts note that their key advantage lies not in speed alone, but in their ability to evade missile defence systems through unpredictable flight paths.

Defence analysts identified the missiles as likely belonging to the Hwasong-11 series, which were publicly displayed during a military parade last year. The test underscores North Korea’s effort to demonstrate readiness to deploy advanced weapons systems at short notice.

Hypersonic missile development is one of five major nuclear weapons goals outlined by Pyongyang in 2021. Recent state media coverage has also highlighted progress on nuclear-powered submarines, signalling broader ambitions to enhance strategic strike capabilities.

Observers say the timing of the test sends a clear message ahead of regional diplomatic meetings, reinforcing North Korea’s position against any renewed discussions on denuclearisation. Kim Jong Un is expected to further highlight these achievements at the upcoming ruling party congress, presenting North Korea as a fully established nuclear power.

#Global News