January 06, 2026
North Korea Launches Hypersonic Missiles in Show of Force as President Lee Visits China
North Korea is once again raising the stakes. The regime claims it has successfully test-fired a new hypersonic missile — with Kim Jong-un personally overseeing the launch. The timing is no coincidence: the test took place on the very day President Lee Jae Myung began his state visit to China, the first by a sitting South Korean leader in nearly a decade. It also comes just days after President Trump’s dramatic military capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. With security concerns mounting and diplomacy back on the table, key questions are now emerging about regional alignment, deterrence, and what Pyongyang is really aiming for. CNAS adjunct senior fellow Go Myong-hyun joined Arirang News to discuss.
Watch the full interview on Arirang News.
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