North Korea successfully test-fire a new-type intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile on January 076, 2025 Photo: KCNA/VNA

After the missile was fired northeastward from a launching site in a suburban area of Pyongyang, the hypersonic glide vehicle made a planned 1,500-km flight at 12 times the speed of sound, landing on target in the open sea, according to the KCNA.

The KCNA said a new carbon fiber compound was used in the manufacture of the missile’s engine body and a new flight and guidance control system based on accumulated technologies was introduced.

The KCNA said leader Kim Jong Un supervised the missile test, which was intended to strengthen Pyongyang’s defense capabilities.