A new type of hypersonic missile (left) was launched from Jagang province, North Korea, and a hypersonic missile Hwasong-8 (right) was test-fired in September 2021. Photo: YONHAP/VNA

KCNA reported that the purpose of the test was to verify the overall accuracy of the missile.

Earlier, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a military source as saying that the latest missile, fired from the Jagang province bordering China, flew about 800 km at a top altitude of 2,000 km before landing in the East Sea.

Sunday's launch marked the unpredictable North Korea's seventh show of force this year. Observers say that with the launch, the North wants to pressure the US and South Korea by confirming that it is still developing weapons.