North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees a firing drill involving an intermediate-range strategic missile equipped with a hypersonic weapons system, according to North Korean state media. Korea’s KCNA reports that the drill is meant to train missile troops operating a “hypersonic strategic weapon system,” and that Kim comments on the need to improve the effectiveness of the country’s offensive deterrent.
State media says the launch takes place toward the East Sea and occurs as part of missile-related training and readiness. In the reporting, Kim is quoted emphasizing the importance of maintaining a constant mobilization posture and ensuring the enemy recognizes the reliability and “fatality” of North Korea’s strategic offensive means. Bloomberg similarly frames the exercise as reflecting Kim’s goal of further strengthening North Korea’s nuclear deterrent, while Korea Times adds detail that Kim calls the exercise a form of deterrent demonstration and that state media shows Kim supervising the launch alongside family members.
All outlets attribute the claims to KCNA and describe the event as a hypersonic-linked missile drill focused on deterrence and training.
