In pics: North Korea signals hypersonic missile advancement, Kim's latest threat to US targets

North Korea announced on Wednesday through state media that it had conducted a successful test of a solid-fuel engine for its new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile. The regime claimed progress in its efforts to develop a more potent and agile missile capable of targeting distant US locations in the region. (AFP photo)

Kim observed the ground test of a multi-stage solid-fuel engine for a hypersonic missile at North Korea's northwestern rocket launch facility, as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency. (AFP photo)

Kim Jong Un underlined the strategic importance of North Korea's new intermediate-range missile, equating it with intercontinental ballistic missiles targeting the US mainland. He notes that adversaries recognise its significance and sets a development timeline following a successful test. (AFP photo)

North Korea's possession or pursuit of intermediate-range missiles primarily targets the US Pacific territory of Guam, which hosts US military bases. Experts suggest that by adjusting the range, these missiles could also target closer locations such as US military installations on Japan's Okinawa island. (AFP photo)

North Korea has been working on making better weapons, like missiles that use solid fuel instead of liquid. These types of missiles are harder to spot before they're launched. They're also trying to make hypersonic weapons that can go really fast to beat defenses from the US and South Korea. But it's not clear if their hypersonic tests have been successful, experts say. (AFP photo)

In January, North Korea announced the successful flight test of a new solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic warhead, as indicated in the recent KCNA dispatch on Wednesday. Prior to this, in November, North Korea disclosed conducting engine tests related to the same missile program. (AFP photo)

Since 2022, North Korea has been conducting a series of provocative missile tests, prompting the US and South Korea militaries to increase their joint exercises and include Japan in trilateral drills. Analysts predict that North Korea will escalate its missile testing leading up to the US presidential election in November. (AFP photo)