North Korea Greets Trump with Hypersonic Missile Launch

North Korea announced Tuesday the test-firing of a hypersonic ballistic missile designed to penetrate defenses and deliver long-range strikes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20.

Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the missile, launched Monday from the outskirts of the capital, flew approximately 1,500 kilometers at a speed of Mach 12 before hitting a target in the East Sea. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, personally oversaw the test.

According to KCNA, the missile featured a new carbon fiber compound for its engine body, a material known for its strength and lightness but challenging to manufacture.

This technology, KCNA claimed, enables the missile to breach even the most sophisticated defensive systems. Analysts noted that only a few nations, including the U.S., Russia, and China, currently possess similar technology.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the test but disputed some of Pyongyang’s claims, including the reported flight range (estimated to be around 1,100km) and a supposed "second peak" in altitude that would indicate advanced maneuverability. JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun labeled the North’s claims as likely exaggerated.

North Korea’s latest missile test comes amid escalating tensions in the region and deepening ties with Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to South Korea, warned of ongoing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, which could include the transfer of advanced space and missile technology.

South Korean intelligence reported that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russia to support its war effort in Ukraine, with many casualties reported.

Kim Jong-un framed the missile test as a defensive measure aimed at deterring threats in the Pacific region, stating it reflects North Korea’s commitment to advancing its military capabilities. Analysts interpreted the timing of the launch as a signal to the incoming U.S. administration, emphasizing Pyongyang's desire for recognition as a nuclear power.

The U.S. and South Korea condemned the launch, emphasizing the importance of strengthening alliances to counter regional threats. Experts have raised concerns that North Korea’s hypersonic missile technology, if fully operational, could target U.S. military bases in Japan and beyond.

The test marked North Korea’s first missile launch since November, when it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile.