Pyongyang: North Korea conducted a hypersonic missile launching drill on Sunday with the missiles striking targets located 1,000 kilometers away in the East Sea, which is also known as the Sea of Japan. This event was reported by state-run media on Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a sub-unit of a major firing strike group within the Korean People's Army executed the missile launching drill to assess the readiness of the hypersonic weapon system and verify its capability to fulfill its missions. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the drill, with the hypersonic missiles being launched from Pyongyang's Ryokpho District in a northeast direction.
Kim Jong-un emphasized the significance of the drill for national defense, stating, "It is a very important strategic task to maintain and expand a powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent." He also highlighted that the missile soldiers demonstrated the readiness of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear forces, instilling confidence in their capabilities. Kim reiterated the importance of enhancing military capabilities and offensive weapon systems as essential for self-defense.
Additionally, South Korea's Defense Ministry noted that North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea at 7:50 AM local time, marking the country's first weapons test of the year. This information was reported by the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.