North Korea Challenges Pacific Rivals, Tests Latest Hypersonic Missile

This week, North Korea claimed to have pulled off another grand feat in its weapons development journey—a successful test of a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

The missile, according to North Korea’s state media, is designed to hit distant targets in the Pacific with lightning speed and precision. While Kim Jong Un hailed it as a significant boost to the nation’s nuclear deterrence, not everyone is buying the hype.

Here’s what we know so far.

What North Korea Claims

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) painted a dramatic picture of the test. The missile reportedly traveled 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), reached two separate peaks at 99.8 and 42.5 kilometers, and hit speeds 12 times the speed of sound before striking a simulated sea target.

North Korean leader Kim himself observed the launch remotely and declared it a crucial step toward building a nuclear arsenal that no rival could challenge. He emphasized that this wasn’t an offensive move but a necessary measure for self-defense, aiming to deter threats to North Korea’s security.

No specific countries were mentioned, but it’s clear the “rivals in the Pacific” he referred to likely include South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

South Korea and Japan Call Foul

South Korea and Japan, however, are calling North Korea’s bluff—or at least part of it.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missile didn’t perform as impressively as KCNA claimed, as reported by USNI News. Seoul’s analysis showed the missile flew a shorter distance of 1,100 kilometers (684 miles) and didn’t reach the supposed second peak.

JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung Joon openly doubted North Korea’s claims, describing the test as an exaggerated continuation of April’s hypersonic missile trials.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) echoed these doubts. They reported that the missile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan but noted it didn’t pose an immediate threat to Japan.

Still, both countries condemned the launch as a blatant provocation and a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions that ban North Korea from testing ballistic missiles.

This launch adds to a string of tests that have made 2024 one of North Korea’s busiest years in weapons development. From solid-fuel ICBMs to hypersonic warheads, Kim’s regime has been showcasing increasingly advanced technologies.

The missile tested last month is part of North Korea’s strategy to integrate hypersonic capabilities into its IRBM arsenal, potentially putting US territories like Guam within striking range.

But are these weapons as powerful as North Korea claims? Hypersonic missiles are meant to fly faster than five times the speed of sound, making them incredibly difficult to intercept.

While North Korea’s ambitions are clear, analysts doubt whether its technology consistently delivers on those goals.

A Larger Game at Play

The timing of this test is no coincidence. The launch took place while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Seoul for talks on North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities.

Both Blinken and South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul strongly condemned the test, calling it a direct challenge to peace in the region.

Blinken also raised concerns about North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia.

According to US and South Korean intelligence, North Korea has sent troops and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

📷: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, and South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, left, shake hands during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 6, 2025.https://t.co/lPc25pDgMq pic.twitter.com/3SXTUP9NDB

— Voice of America (@VOANews) January 6, 2025

In return, Russia is reportedly sharing advanced technology, which could further bolster North Korea’s missile program.

This “two-way street” of cooperation has alarmed the international community and added another layer of complexity to the already tense geopolitical situation.

What’s Next?

Kim Jong Un’s recent actions send a clear message: North Korea isn’t stepping back.

At a year-end conference, he vowed to implement tougher anti-US policies and criticized US alliances with South Korea and Japan as a “nuclear military bloc for aggression.” His growing nuclear arsenal and partnerships with countries like Russia make future diplomacy an even tougher challenge.

While North Korea continues to flex its muscles, skepticism remains about the real capabilities of its weapons.

For now, the international community is left questioning how much of this is theater and how much is genuine progress.

What’s clear is that Kim’s latest test has ratcheted up tensions, setting the stage for another turbulent year in regional security.

The Bottom Line

North Korea’s hypersonic missile claims may sound impressive, but the reality remains murky.

With its neighbors pushing back against the rhetoric and facts pointing to inconsistencies, it’s hard to separate truth from propaganda.

Whether these developments are real game-changers or just a display of bravado, one thing is certain: North Korea’s actions continue to keep the region—and the world—on edge.