North Korea tests hypersonic missile targeting Pacific region

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. This test follows a previous hypersonic missile launch in April and comes amid concerns about North Korea's military advancements, potentially aided by technology transfers from Russia. South Korea's military expressed skepticism about North Korea's claims regarding the missile's capabilities. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the launch during his visit to Seoul, stating it violated U.N. resolutions. He also highlighted the growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.