North Korea reports new missile test designed to give enemy 'incurable headache'

North Korea announced a successful missile test on Sunday, showcasing "ultra-modern defense technology" under the watchful eye of leader Kim Jong Un. The test, conducted by the country's Missile Administration, highlighted a significant advancement in the military's capabilities, according to state media. Kim expressed that the progress would leave the enemy with an "incurable headache" and deliver a "very cruel and unavoidable blow."

The details of the weapon tested were not disclosed in the report. In accompanying photographs, Kim was seen inspecting a screen displaying the east coast of the country and the flight trajectory of the Hwasongpho-11-ma-1, potentially an upgraded variant of a short-range ballistic missile with hypersonic glide capability. NK News, a Seoul-based news outlet, suggested the projectile could be an enhanced version of a missile designed to evade anti-missile defenses.

North Korea attributes missile launches to live-fire drills, while the South Korean military reported two short-range ballistic missiles launched off its east coast on Sunday. The test followed Pyongyang's accusation that the US was escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula through military exercises. On Monday, the foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and the United States met in New York to coordinate closely on peace, stability, and denuclearization efforts on the Korean Peninsula, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.