North Korea touts new weapons system described as hypersonic

Live updates

1. 46m ago

   North Korea Tests Hypersonic Missile System

   North Korea launched two missiles off its east coast within a three-hour window, describing the test as a new "ultra-modern" hypersonic weapons system. Kim Jong Un praised the development, claiming the missile will provide an "incurable headache" for enemies. While some reports identify both launches as ballistic missiles, South Korea specified that one was a ballistic missile and the other was a projectile. The launches are intended to increase pressure on the United States.

   Why it matters

   North Korea continues to expand its missile capabilities to deter foreign intervention and strengthen its strategic position. Hypersonic weapons are designed to travel at extreme speeds and maneuver to evade missile defense systems.

   What is confirmed

   • North Korea fired two missiles off its east coast within three hours.
   • Kim Jong Un described the new weapons system as an "incurable headache" for foes.
   • North Korea describes the new system as hypersonic.

   Still unconfirmed

   • One of the launches was a projectile rather than a ballistic missile.
   • The missile is described as ultra-modern.

   What to watch next

   • Technical verification of the hypersonic flight capabilities by international observers
   • Official response from the US government regarding the increased pressure
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. Reuters — North Korea fires two missiles off east coast in three hours
   2. CNN — North Korea fires two ballistic missiles off east coast in three hours
   3. AP News — North Korea launches 2 ballistic missiles toward the sea and dials up pressure on the US
   4. Politico — South Korea says North Korea launched a ballistic missile and another projectile toward the sea
   5. AP News — North Korea touts new weapons system described as hypersonic
   6. NBC News — North Korea reports new missile test designed to give enemy ‘incurable headache’
   7. CBS News — North Korea's Kim Jong Un lauds apparent hypersonic missile test, calls it "incurable headache" for foes
   8. Space — Hypersonic weapon test? North Korea says it just launched a new 'ultra-modern' missile
   confidence 90%