Kim Jong-un watches hypersonic missile launch, calls it 'a form of deterrence exercise'

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observed a hypersonic missile launch drill and said it represented "a form of deterrence exercise."

KCNA reported Sunday that North Korea conducted an intermediate-range strategic missile launch drill over the East Sea in the early hours of Saturday. The agency said the exercise was aimed at "honing the firepower service capabilities of missile troops handling hypersonic strategic weapons systems" and was "part of an assessment project on the reliability, effectiveness and operational readiness of war deterrence."

The agency said Kim attended the drill in person. Kim Jong-sik, first vice director of the Korean Workers' Party munitions industry department, and Jang Chang-ha, director of the Missile General Bureau, were also present. Photos released with the report showed that Kim's daughter Ju-ae and his wife Ri Sol-ju also watched the exercise.

At the site, Kim said that "building a powerful and reliable nuclear deterrent and demonstrating that our military's counterattack means are in a constant state of readiness is a very important measure and a responsible activity for national security."

He added that "the strategic missile troops displayed highly skilled professional qualities in operating key offensive weapons systems and a counterattack posture ready for mobilization at any time," saying they had "provided confidence in our deterrent."

Kim said North Korea must "continue without interruption the responsible effort to ceaselessly and repeatedly make adversaries recognize the reliability and lethality of our strategic strike means."

He went on to say that "our activities of this kind are clearly aimed at further advancing the country's nuclear war deterrence — something essential to safeguarding the safety and stability of the state in today's geopolitical environment," framing missile launches and weapons verification drills as defensive in nature.

Kim also reaffirmed that North Korea would not abandon its drive to strengthen its nuclear forces, saying "there can be no change in our views and line" and that the country must "control various threats with a powerful deterrent and ensure a safer environment for our state-building and activities."

KCNA said the missile was fired in a northeastern direction and claimed it "accurately hit the preset target point at latitude 43°36′28.04″, longitude 138°00′47.02″, 1,000 kilometers away over the East Sea."

Photos showing the missile soaring into the sky amid flames were also released. The missile bore the number "17701922" alongside the North Korean flag.

Earlier, on the day of the launch, Kim Yo-jong, director of the Workers' Party General Affairs Department, disclosed the exercise and claimed that South Korean and Japanese military authorities had failed to track the missile due to North Korea's technological superiority.