North Korea Reports New Weapon Test, Kim Jong Un Says Military Technology Is Advancing

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observes a weapons test in an image released by North Korean state media.

SEOUL, September 22, 2026: North Korea has reported the successful test of a new combat weapon system, with leader Kim Jong Un observing the launch and describing it as a sign of progress in the country’s military modernization.

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday that the test was conducted on Sunday by the country’s General Missile Bureau. Pyongyang did not clearly identify the weapon system, but said the test demonstrated advances in weapons technology.

Kim said the development represented progress in strengthening North Korea’s military preparedness. KCNA also quoted him as saying the country’s adversaries would understand the significance of the technological advances.

South Korea Reported Two Missile Launches

The announcement followed a report from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff that North Korea had launched two short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area on Sunday.

South Korean authorities said the missiles travelled roughly 450 kilometres and 600 kilometres toward the East Sea. Japan also reported that the missiles fell into waters outside its exclusive economic zone.

North Korea’s Hypersonic Claim

Images released by North Korean state media appeared to show a missile identified on a monitoring screen as Hwasongpho-11Ma-1. The display reportedly showed a flight distance of about 908 kilometres and a speed of around 2,146 metres per second.

However, these figures have not been independently verified. South Korean officials have said North Korea’s claims about its weapons capabilities require further assessment. Experts have also questioned whether Pyongyang consistently achieves the performance it claims for its purported hypersonic weapons.

Broader Military Developments

The latest test comes after a series of North Korean weapons demonstrations in recent months, including missile launches and other military exercises.

The developments are taking place as international attention remains focused on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and on the possibility of renewed diplomatic engagement with the United States.

Important Fact

North Korea has confirmed the test through its state media, but the exact identity and full performance of the new weapon have not been independently established. South Korea’s reported missile-flight data and North Korea’s own published figures also differ significantly.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Yonhap News Agency