North Korea tests hypersonic missile aimed at Pacific targets

North Korea announced it tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile aimed at remote Pacific targets. This missile reportedly flew 932 miles and reached speeds of 12 times the speed of sound, according to state media. The launch follows a year of extensive weapons testing by North Korea, including various missile systems capable of reaching the U.S. military hub in Guam. South Korea's military expressed skepticism about North Korea's claims regarding the missile's capabilities. The test occurred during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul, where he condemned the launch as a violation of U.N. resolutions. Concerns remain about North Korea's military cooperation with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.