North Korea Launches Hypersonic Missiles, Hits 1,000‑km Targets as Kim Jong‑un Observes
Updated (2 articles)
Kim Jong‑un Oversaw the Launch from Ryokpho District The North Korean leader personally attended a hypersonic missile test conducted from the Ryokpho District in Pyongyang, which KCNA described as a sub‑unit drill to evaluate deterrence and weapon‑system readiness [1][2]. The presence of Kim underscored the political importance the regime places on showcasing advanced strike capabilities. Officials framed the exercise as a confidence‑building measure for national defense.
Missiles Struck Targets Approximately 1,000 km Away in the East Sea South Korean radar detected the launch at 07:50 a.m. on 4 January, and KCNA reported that the missiles hit targets about 1,000 kilometers distant in the East Sea [1][2]. The flight distance demonstrates a significant reach for North Korea’s emerging hypersonic portfolio. The timing coincided with heightened regional tension, occurring just before President Lee Jae Myung’s departure for Beijing.
Test Claimed to Validate Nuclear‑Force Readiness Kim declared that the drill confirmed the readiness of the DPRK’s nuclear‑related weapon systems and urged continuous upgrades of offensive capabilities for self‑defense [1][2]. He emphasized moving nuclear forces onto a “practical basis” and preparing them for actual war conditions. The rhetoric links the missile test directly to the broader nuclear modernization agenda.
Analysts Suggest the Hwasong‑11Ma May Be Under Evaluation The Korea Defense Forum interpreted the test as likely assessing range and low‑altitude glide performance, possibly involving the Hwasong‑11Ma variant that attaches a hypersonic payload to a KN‑23 booster [1]. This assessment provides a technical hypothesis absent from official KCNA statements. It highlights the missile’s potential to combine conventional glide with hypersonic speed.
North Korea Tied the Test to Wider Geopolitical Frictions KCNA condemned the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, framing the missile test within a narrative of external aggression [2]. Additionally, the launch’s detection preceded President Lee’s Beijing visit, suggesting a strategic signal to neighboring powers [1]. Both elements illustrate how the test was leveraged for diplomatic messaging.
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: North Korea tests hypersonic missiles with Kim Jong-un in attendance, claims successful strike – Highlights Kim’s presence, the 1,000 km hit, and the test’s role in upgrading nuclear forces, emphasizing a successful demonstration .
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[2]
Yonhap: North Korea tests hypersonic missiles with Kim Jong-un present, targets hit about 1,000 km away in East Sea – Focuses on the same launch distance, adds the condemnation of the U.S. Maduro operation, and situates the test amid broader geopolitical tensions .
Timeline
2026 – North Korea’s foreign ministry condemns the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, labeling the action an “encroachment on sovereignty” and tying the criticism to broader regional tensions [2].
Jan 4, 2026 (7:50 a.m.) – South Korea’s military detects a launch from Pyongyang’s Ryokpho District, marking the start of a hypersonic‑missile drill that occurs hours before President Lee Jae Myung’s scheduled departure for Beijing [1][2].
Jan 4, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un attends the hypersonic‑missile test in Pyongyang, observing a sub‑unit of a major firing strike group conduct the drill to evaluate deterrence and weapon‑system readiness [1][2].
Jan 4, 2026 – The hypersonic missiles strike targets roughly 1,000 km away in the East Sea, demonstrating long‑range capability from the Ryokpho launch site [1][2].
Jan 4, 2026 – Kim Jong‑un declares, “The launching drill verifies a key national‑defense technology task and demonstrates the readiness of the DPRK’s nuclear forces without regret,” emphasizing confidence in the new system [2].
Jan 4, 2026 – Kim urges continuous upgrades of offensive weapon systems, stating that nuclear forces must be “put on a practical basis and prepared for an actual war” as essential for self‑defence [1][2].
Jan 4, 2026 (later that day) – President Lee Jae Myung departs for Beijing to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a diplomatic move occurring shortly after the missile test and amid heightened regional tension [1].