North Korea Unveils Another Hypersonic Missile Just Two Weeks Later

North Korea has released footage of a medium-range hypersonic missile firing drill conducted two days ago. By introducing a new model distinct from the hypersonic missile unveiled two weeks earlier, the regime is flaunting that its hypersonic missile weapons system has entered its final stage of development. Hypersonic missiles fly at more than five times the speed of sound, making them difficult to intercept with existing defense systems.

The newly unveiled missile has a conical warhead, unlike the one revealed two weeks ago, and a longer body. It is believed to belong to the same family as the hypersonic missile disclosed four years ago.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed the launch site alongside his daughter and wife, stressing that there is no change in the regime's push to strengthen its nuclear forces. Korean Central Television quoted Kim as saying, "We have nothing to hide — these activities are clearly aimed at further advancing our nuclear war deterrent." North Korea claimed that a missile unit carried out the drill and that its hypersonic missiles have entered operational deployment.

Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, analyzed, "They are trying to operate hypersonic missiles diversified across various ranges. If development is already complete and they are entering an operational system to some degree, this sends a very strong message of pressure to the United States." There are also warnings that the claimed deployment of a medium-range hypersonic missile with a range of around 1,000 kilometers could pose a threat to nearby U.S. military bases in Japan and Guam.