North Korea successfully tests new intermediate-range missile, state media says

A missile flies during what state media KCNA says is a test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile at an undisclosed location January 6, 2025, in this photo released on January 7, 2025 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) on Monday, state media KCNA said on Tuesday, pledging to accelerate the country's nuclear and missile capabilities.

It was North Korea's first missile launch since Nov. 5, and coincided with a visit to South Korea by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which he pledged bilateral and trilateral cooperation, including with Japan, to respond to Pyongyang's growing military threats.