North Korea Tests New Hypersonic Missile, Kim Jong Un Vows to Enhance Nuclear Deterrent

The missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and using solid propellants, marks a significant advancement in North Korea's arsenal.

North Korea announced the successful test of a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile, named Hwasong-16B, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and using solid propellants.
The test was personally supervised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who declared the country's capability to build solid-fuel, nuclear-capable systems for missiles of all ranges.
The missile demonstrated the ability to perform various flight maneuvers and landed in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, showcasing potential challenges to regional missile defense systems.
Kim Jong Un emphasized the missile's role in strengthening North Korea's nuclear war deterrent against perceived enemies, including the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
The launch prompted a combined aerial exercise by South Korea, the United States, and Japan, involving at least one nuclear-capable U.S. B-52 bomber, in response to rising tensions in the region.