SEOUL, South Korea – On Tuesday, North Korea announced that it successfully tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile capable of reaching distant targets in the Pacific. This development comes as Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the nation’s nuclear arsenal to counter perceived threats from rival nations.
This news follows a recent missile launch detected by South Korea’s military, which reported that a North Korean missile traveled approximately 1,100 kilometers (685 miles) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The missile test, occurring just weeks ahead of Donald Trump’s potential return to U.S. presidential office, marks a continuation of North Korea’s aggressive weapons testing program over the past year.
Throughout 2022, North Korea showcased a variety of weapons systems with capabilities aimed at reaching both neighboring countries and the United States, including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. Concerns have mounted regarding the possibility of advancements in North Korea’s military technology through potential cooperation with Russia, particularly as the two nations align their interests amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In recent years, North Korea has been conducting tests on intermediate-range missiles that could potentially target U.S. military assets in the Pacific, specifically Guam. There have been efforts to integrate these missiles with hypersonic warheads to enhance their effectiveness against missile defense systems in the region.
Since 2021, North Korea has focused on developing hypersonic weapons capable of exceeding five times the speed of sound. These weapons are designed for rapid flight and maneuverability to evade defense systems, though it remains uncertain if they achieve their claimed speeds consistently.
According to state media, Kim Jong Un oversaw the most recent missile test, with the weapon reportedly reaching distances of 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) while reaching varying altitudes of 99.8 kilometers (62 miles) and 42.5 kilometers (26.4 miles), traveling at speeds claimed to be twelve times that of sound and accurately hitting a maritime target.
However, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, expressed skepticism regarding North Korea’s reported achievements and suggested that North Korea might have overstated the missile’s capabilities, highlighting discrepancies in the distance covered and the lack of a second peak.
Kim characterized the missile as a significant milestone in enhancing North Korea’s nuclear deterrent, stating that it would be a vital tool in containing rival nations in the Pacific region. He emphasized that the hypersonic missile system would effectively address various security challenges posed by hostile forces, although state media did not direct any specific criticism towards the United States, South Korea, or Japan.
The missile launch coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Seoul, where he discussed the North Korean nuclear threat with South Korean officials. In a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Blinken condemned the missile launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, reiterating concerns about growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He described this collaboration as a mutual exchange, noting Russia’s provision of military support and training to North Korea and intentions to share space and satellite technology.
Reports from U.S., Ukrainian, and South Korean intelligence suggest that North Korea has dispatched over 10,000 troops and conventional arms to bolster Russia’s campaign in Ukraine. There are fears that these interactions could lead to the transfer of advanced weapons technology from Russia to North Korea, which might heighten the military threat posed by Kim Jong Un’s nuclear forces.
During a year-end political event, Kim Jong Un declared a commitment to the “strictest” anti-U.S. policy, criticizing the Biden administration’s initiatives to foster enhanced security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, which he referred to as a “nuclear military bloc for aggression.” Nevertheless, North Korean state media did not clarify any specific strategies or mention Donald Trump directly. During Trump’s presidency, he met with Kim three times to discuss North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Experts indicate that even if Trump returns to power, a swift revival of diplomatic talks with North Korea may be improbable. Kim’s fortified stance—derived from an expanded nuclear arsenal, a deepening alignment with Russia, and a reduction in the enforcement of international sanctions—presents additional obstacles in addressing the ongoing nuclear standoff.
