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North Korea test-launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile fitted with a hypersonic warhead on January 6, 2025, and said the development could “reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region.”
The missile, launched from the outskirts of Pyongyang, reportedly attained a speed of Mach 12—twelve times the speed of sound—and traveled about 1,500 km before falling into the sea. South Korea’s military said it detected the missile flying 1,100 km before it condemned a launch as “a clear act of provocation.”
Hypersonic weapons, which can reach speeds above Mach 5, create significant problems for existing missile defense systems owing to their fast speed and maneuverability. North Korea’s state media, KCNA, reported that the new “flight and guidance control system” on this missile will have an engine made of carbon fiber materials in order to enhance its capacity in piercing thick layers of defense.
Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test and said the launch “clearly showed the rivals what we are doing and that we are fully ready to use even any means to defend our legitimate interests.” The event is North Korea’s first missile test since November 2024 and comes amid a visit to Seoul by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who held talks with South Korean officials.
The timing, only weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, was seen as a signal that North Korea intends to flex its military muscle. Analysts said the launch was a signal from Pyongyang to the incoming U.S. administration that its weapons technology was advancing.
International reactions haven’t taken long either. South Korea’s military has reinforced surveillance and is maintaining close coordination with the United States and Japan. Secretary Blinken condemned the launch, saying this is a violation of the United Nations resolutions, against which he raises the concern related to deepened military cooperation between North Korea and Russia in relation to the events unfolding in Ukraine.
This development also comes against the backdrop of political instability in South Korea, following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after a brief declaration of martial law in December. The constitutional court is currently deliberating on his potential removal from office, adding complexity to the regional security dynamics.
The continued pursuit by North Korea of advanced missile technology underlines the difficulties facing diplomatic efforts to address security concerns on the Korean Peninsula. The international community remains watchful of Pyongyang’s actions and their implications for regional and global stability.
