North Korea claims second successful test of hypersonic missile

Wednesday’s hypersonic missile launch indicates North Korea will press ahead with plans to modernise its nuclear and missile arsenals rather than return to disarmament talks anytime soon

North Korea claimed on January 6 to have conducted the second successful test flight of a hypersonic missile, days after leader Kim Jong-un vowed to bolster his military forces despite pandemic-related difficulties.

Wednesday’s launch, the North’s first known weapons test in about two months, indicates the country will press ahead with plans to modernise its nuclear and missile arsenals rather than return to disarmament talks anytime soon.

The official Korean Central News Agency said the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party expressed “great satisfaction” at the results of the missile test, which was observed by leading weapons officials.