North Korea said on Monday that leader Kim Jong-un observed test-flights of hypersonic missiles and underscored the need to bolster the country's nuclear war deterrent, as the country dials up weapons displays ahead of its major political conference.
North Korea reported on the drill a day after its neighbours said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused the North of carrying out provocations.
The tests came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Sunday's drill involving a hypersonic weapon system was meant to examine its readiness, enhance missile troops' firepower operational skills and evaluate operational capabilities of the country’s war deterrent.
"Through today's launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defence has been carried out," Kim said, according to KCNA.
"We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems."
The possession of a functioning hypersonic weapon would give North Korea an ability to penetrate the US and South Korea's missile defence shields.
In previous years, North Korea has performed a series of tests to acquire it, but many foreign experts question whether the tested missiles have achieved their desired speed and manoeuvrability during flights.
In recent weeks, North Korea test-fired what it called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing apparent progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine.
Observers say North Korea aims to demonstrate or review its achievements on the weapons development sector ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress, the first of its kind in five years.
Keen attention is on whether Kim would use the congress to set a new approach on relations with the US and resume long-dormant denuclearisation talks.
The latest launches followed Saturday’s audacious US military operation that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the US to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.
North Korea slammed the operation, saying it again shows "the rogue and brutal nature of the US."
Many experts say the US operation likely leaves Kim pushing to further expand his nuclear weapons capabilities that he thinks guarantees the survival of his government and state sovereignty in the face of US-led hostilities.
During Sunday's launch drill, Kim defended his push for a stronger nuclear programme.
"Why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events," he said.
