Statements from South Korean government or military officials

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Oversees Mach 12 Hypersonic Missile Test, Says 'No One Can Counter'

Jan 6, 2025, 09:04 PM

North Korea has confirmed that it successfully tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, named Hwasongpo-16na, on January 6, 2025, state media reported. The missile, launched from near Pyongyang, reportedly reached speeds of Mach 12 and a maximum altitude of 99.8 kilometers, accurately hitting a target 1,500 kilometers away in open waters and landing outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch and described the missile as a weapon 'no one can counter', saying it would help deter the country's rivals in the Pacific region. The test represents an advancement in North Korea's missile capabilities, including the use of a hypersonic glide vehicle and new control systems. South Korea's military acknowledged the launch but expressed skepticism over some of North Korea's claims, considering certain data as possibly deceptive.