North Korea has made bold claims following the test-firing of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead, describing the system as a "game changer" for its strategic deterrence. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missile travelled approximately 1,500 km at twelve times the speed of sound, reaching new heights in the North’s missile development programme. Kim Jong-un, overseeing the test, declared the system would serve as a reliable deterrent against adversaries in the Pacific region, as reported by Yonhap.

However, scepticism surrounds North Korea’s claims. South Korea’s military has raised concerns that the test might be a deceptive attempt to exaggerate the missile's capabilities. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff suggested that the missile likely flew only around 1,100 km before splashing down into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, a significant deviation from the North’s stated flight range. This discrepancy raises questions about the missile's actual performance and whether the system is still in the experimental phase.

It is a probability supported by Japanese authoties with media in Tokyo reporting that the missile had splashed down in the Sea of Japan.

The hypersonic missile, if North Korea’s assertions are accurate, would represent a significant leap in the country’s missile technology. Such weapons are designed to be nearly impossible to intercept due to their high speed and unpredictable flight paths. Experts note that while the claimed range of 1,500 km could potentially cover military targets such as the US base in Guam, the missile’s ability to consistently achieve these distances remains uncertain.

The timing of this test, coming just two weeks before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, signals North Korea’s desire to demonstrate its military capabilities ahead of potential shifts in US foreign policy. It also reflects the rising tensions in the region, exacerbated by political instability in South Korea, which has been dealing with a controversial martial law imposition and the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Despite the doubts surrounding the test, North Korea's continued pursuit of hypersonic missile technology underscores its commitment to developing advanced weapons systems. Kim Jong-un has previously outlined ambitious plans for enhancing the country’s military arsenal, including nuclear-powered submarines and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. As tensions persist in the region, these developments could significantly alter the security landscape in the Pacific.