North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw test flights of hypersonic missiles and called for a stronger deterrent to nuclear war, state media said Monday, as Pyongyang steps up weapons shows ahead of a major political conference.
North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said Sunday’s exercise involving a hypersonic weapons system was aimed at testing combat readiness, sharpening the operational skills of missile forces and assessing the country’s overall war deterrent.
“Through today’s launch exercise, we can confirm that a very important technological task for national defense has been accomplished,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “We must continuously improve military assets, especially offensive weapon systems.”
The announcement came a day after South Korea and Japan said they had detected multiple North Korean missile launches, which they condemned as provocations. The tests also took place just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung left for China to meet with President Xi Jinping.
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In this North Korean government photo, leader Kim Jong Un, center, inspects test flights of hypersonic missiles in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
If fully operational, a hypersonic missile would give North Korea the ability to evade U.S. and South Korean missile defense systems. Although Pyongyang has conducted a series of hypersonic tests in recent years, many foreign experts remain skeptical about whether the weapons have achieved the necessary speed and maneuverability.
In this North Korean government photo, leader Kim Jong Un walks on a road while inspecting test flights of hypersonic missiles in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
The latest tests follow recent launches of what North Korea described as long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-aircraft systems, along with state-released images showing progress on what it claims is its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Experts say the regime is demonstrating its weapons developments ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party’s first congress in five years. The meeting is expected to assess military performance and could indicate whether Kim plans to shift his approach to the US or revive long-stalled nuclear talks.
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North Korea’s nuclear program is also expected to be discussed during the summit between Lee and Xi. Lee’s office said the South Korean president plans to urge China – Pyongyang’s key ally and economic lifeline – to play a “constructive role” in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, center left, and his wife Kim Hea Kyung arrive to depart for China at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, South Korea, Sunday, January 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
In defense of his push for nuclear expansion, Kim cited increasing global instability.
“Why this is necessary is illustrated by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events,” he said.
The missile launches followed Saturday’s dramatic US military operation that removed Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro from power and brought him to the US where he was charged with plotting against narco-terrorism. North Korea condemned the operation, calling it further evidence of what it described as “the US’s rogue and brutal nature.”
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Analysts say the move is likely to strengthen Kim’s push to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, which he says is essential for regime survival and national sovereignty in the face of what Pyongyang sees as US-led hostility.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
