North Korea has tested a “state-of-the-art” weapons system ahead of a major meeting in the region
This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says is a test of a hypersonic projectile at an undisclosed place in North Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency.,Image: 1047476379, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This content is intended for editorial use only. For other uses, additional clearances may be required. Handout – Government Produced No Use in Japan PHOTO RELEASED BY NORTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT VIA KCNA/KNS, JAPAN OUT UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TRANSMISSION, AP PROVIDES ACCESS TO THIS HANDOUT PHOTO TO BE USED SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE NEWS REPORTING OR COMMENTARY ON THE EVENTS DEPICTED IN THIS IMAGE. Model Release: no, Credit line: KCNA via KNS / AP / Profimedia
North Korea said it successfully tested a “new, state-of-the-art weapon system” that includes hypersonic projectiles on Wednesday as part of a defense program aimed at boosting its strategic deterrence against enemies, Reuters reports.
Two hypersonic missiles were launched from a region near the capital, Pyongyang, and hit a target in the country's northeast, state news agency KCNA reported Thursday.
The quoted source did not say whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at the test. North Korea has developed hypersonic missiles designed to evade target missile defense systems.
South Korea's military said on Thursday that Pyongyang had launched what appeared to be several short-range ballistic missiles, a week ahead of a major meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders in South Korea and an expected visit by US President Donald Trump.
Trump is due to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
The US military in Korea said it was “fully aware” of North Korea's missile launches.
“The United States condemns these illegal and destabilizing actions,” the US military in Korea said in a statement, calling on North Korea to refrain from further actions that would violate international sanctions.
