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North Korea Says It Tested Hypersonic Missiles Ahead of APEC Summit

Pyongyang’s disclosure signals strategic messaging days before leaders convene in South Korea.

Overview

  • South Korea’s Joint Chiefs reported multiple projectiles launched from Junghwa at about 8:10 a.m. local time toward the northeast, traveling roughly 350 km and landing inside North Korea.
  • North Korean state media said two “hypersonic” missiles fired south of Pyongyang struck a target in the country’s northeast, without providing range, trajectory, or speed data.
  • Seoul has not identified the missile type, and outside experts say the projectiles were likely short-range ballistic missiles.
  • The firings are the first known ballistic launches since South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office in June.
  • The test follows September solid-fuel motor trials and an October parade showcasing the Hwasong-20 ICBM, and it precedes next week’s APEC meetings in Gyeongju that President Donald Trump plans to attend after expressing interest in meeting Kim Jong-un.