North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has personally overseen test flights of hypersonic missiles, state media reported on Monday, 5 January 2026, explicitly linking the drills to what he described as escalating US-led threats, including the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Missile Tests and a Stark Warning
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated that Kim Jong Un supervised the launches, which he said were crucial for testing operational readiness and bolstering the credibility of Pyongyang's strategic deterrent. South Korea and Japan confirmed they had detected multiple ballistic missile launches, condemning them as destabilising provocations.
In remarks carried by KCNA, Kim argued that recent international crises underscored the urgency of upgrading offensive weapons. "We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems," he was quoted as saying. Analysts believe the primary message is directed at Washington, reinforcing North Korea's long-held stance that only advanced weaponry can guarantee regime survival.
The Venezuela Factor: A Catalyst for Pyongyang
The timing of the tests is highly significant, coming just days after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and brought him to New York. North Korea's foreign ministry slammed the operation, calling it evidence of "the rogue and brutal nature of the US."
Many security experts suggest this event has directly influenced Pyongyang's actions. The situation in Venezuela is seen as reinforcing the leadership's conviction that ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons are essential to deter foreign intervention. For Kim, the US action against an adversarial government likely validates his drive to expand capabilities he believes are vital for state sovereignty.
Military Ambitions and Regional Diplomacy
Possessing a functional hypersonic weapon would theoretically allow North Korea to penetrate US and South Korean missile defence shields. While Pyongyang has conducted several tests in recent years, many foreign experts remain sceptical about whether it has achieved the necessary speed and manoeuvrability.
The latest launches are part of a broader weapons display ahead of a key ruling party conference, the first in five years. In recent weeks, North Korea has also test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles, new anti-air missiles, and shown progress on its first nuclear submarine.
Meanwhile, the nuclear programme was set to be a topic when South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a summit later on Monday. President Lee's office indicated he would urge China, a major ally of the North, to play "a constructive role" in fostering peace on the Korean Peninsula. All eyes are now on whether Kim Jong Un will use the upcoming party congress to outline a new approach to relations with the United States.
