North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed a hypersonic missile test launch from Pyongyang on January 4, 2026—the country's first of the year—state media KCNA reported the next day. The missiles successfully struck targets 1,000 km away in the East Sea, with Pyongyang linking the drill to recent international crises including the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Following initial detections by South Korean forces, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) detailed the January 4 drill by a Korean People's Army sub-unit in Pyongyang's Ryokpho District, aimed at assessing war deterrence, weapon readiness, and mission capacity.
Kim Jong-un, quoted by KCNA, stated: "Through today's launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defense has been carried out. The missile soldiers showed the readiness of the DPRK's nuclear forces without regret and gave confidence in it." He emphasized that nuclear forces are on a "practical basis" for "actual war," urging upgrades to offensive systems as essential for self-defense.
Kim added: "To be honest, our such activity is clearly aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis. Why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events." North Korea's foreign ministry separately condemned the U.S. operation capturing Maduro as an "encroachment of sovereignty."
Accompanying Kim were Kim Jong-sik, vice department director of the ruling party's Central Committee, and Jang Chang-ha, chief of the Missile Administration. South Korean assessments identified the missiles as possibly the Hwasong-11Ma, a hypersonic variant of the KN-23 (also called Hwasong-11E in some reports), comparable to Russia's Iskander.
The missile type was unveiled at an October 2025 military parade and tested later that month. Analysts noted the prior test focused on short-range precision, while this one likely evaluated extended range and low-altitude glide.
Kim thanked the unit, offering New Year's greetings and calling them a "reliable shield" for DPRK sovereignty. The launch reflects Pyongyang's reaction to perceived U.S. threats, occurring shortly after Maduro's capture.
