On January 4, North Korea conducted hypersonic missile launch exercises carried out by a missile forces unit of the Korean People’s Army under the direct leadership of Kim Jong Un.
According to official information released by Pyongyang, the missiles were launched from the Ryokpo area of the capital toward the northeast, striking targets at a distance of about 1,000 kilometers in a maritime area of the Sea of Japan.
According to the North Korean statement, the launches confirmed the declared tactical and technical characteristics of the hypersonic system. During the exercise, the operational readiness of the weapons for combat missions, the reliability of key elements of the strategic deterrence system, and the level of training and coordination of the missile forces’ crews were reportedly assessed.
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According to the statement, Kim Jong Un said that the continuous improvement of strategic assets, including offensive systems, is an indispensable condition for the country’s self-defense. The leader added that regular demonstrations of readiness and combat capability by strategic forces remain an effective deterrent instrument amid the worsening international environment.
In response to the events, the Japanese Ministry of Defense issued an official statement confirming the launch of two ballistic missiles by North Korea on the morning of January 4, 2026. According to Tokyo, the launches occurred between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. (local time), from North Korea’s west coast, on an eastward trajectory.
Japanese authorities reported that, according to preliminary estimates, both missiles fell outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone, also in the Sea of Japan. The ministry also noted that the projectiles followed trajectories considered atypical.
According to the data released, the first missile was launched at 7:54 a.m., traveled approximately 900 kilometers, and reached an estimated maximum altitude of about 50 kilometers. The second launch occurred around 8:05 a.m., with an approximate range of 950 kilometers and a similar altitude. Flight detection was carried out using radar systems aboard aircraft and ships positioned in the region.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense added that Japanese, South Korean, and U.S. experts continue to analyze the technical details of the launches to determine more precisely the type of missile used and its capabilities.
Source and images: KCNA | Japanese Ministry of Defense. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
