North Korea ”successfully tests supersonic missile...showcasing its superiority in national defense technology”

North Korea has announced that it has successfully test-fired a new medium- to long-range solid-fuel hypersonic ballistic missile.
On the 2nd, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (General Secretary of the Worker's Party) supervised on-site the first test launch of a new medium- to long-range solid ballistic missile, the Hwasong-16, equipped with a newly developed hypersonic gliding combat unit (warhead).
The test launch was aimed at verifying the overall design and technical characteristics of the new medium- to long-range hypersonic missile and verifying the reliability of the weapon system, the agency explained.
The agency also said, "The first test launch of this new weapon system will be limited in range to 1,000 km for safety reasons, and there will be a two-stage engine start-up delay and failure.
"By forcibly restricting speed and altitude through a sudden trajectory change flight method in the flight section, we were able to confirm the gliding jump type flight trajectory characteristics and lateral launch capability of the hypersonic gliding flight combat unit."
The agency said, "The hypersonic gliding combat component that separated from the missile that was launched in the northeast direction at a military training ground on the outskirts of Pyongyang was on schedule."
It flew along a horizontal trajectory with a primary apex altitude of 101.1 km and a secondary apex altitude of 72.3 km, and accurately landed in the waters of the Sea of Japan with a range of 1,000 km.
Chairman Kim said, ``Another powerful strategic offensive weapon has been born that shows off the absolute superiority of North Korea's national defense science and technology capabilities.''
``We have completely realized the use of solid fuel, warhead control, and nuclear weapons for long-range tactics and operations, strategic-class missiles,'' he said.