North Korea tests hypersonic missile aimed at Pacific targets

North Korea announced it tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile aimed at targets in the Pacific. The missile reportedly flew 932 miles, reaching speeds of up to 12 times the speed of sound, according to state media. South Korea's military detected the launch, which followed a year of extensive weapons testing by North Korea. South Korean officials expressed skepticism about the missile's claimed capabilities, suggesting the distance and performance may have been exaggerated. The missile test coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul, where he condemned North Korea's actions as violations of U.N. resolutions. Concerns remain about North Korea's military cooperation with Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.