Kim Jong-un launches another missile ahead of Donald Trump’s return to White House
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North Korea today test-fired at least one unidentified projectile as it continues its weapons demonstrations ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. South Korea's military says North Korea fired the missile towards its eastern waters but it wasn’t immediately clear how far the weapon flew. It was North Korea’s second launch event of 2025, following a ballistic launch last week.
The first test, which happened on January 6, was a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to strike remote targets in the Pacific, North Korea said. It led to Kim Jong-un unveiling the country's largest-ever warship, equipped with a cruise missile system. The leader vowed to further expand his collection of nuclear-capable weapons to counter rival nations at the start of the year.
And now, with Trump about to be inaugurated again, Jong-un has threatened to implement the "toughest" anti-US policy in his tenure. This is despite North Korea's torrid 2024 for weapons testing, which saw it demonstrate solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles among other systems.
Various shorter-range missiles tested last year were designed to overwhelm missile defences in South Korea, it is understood. There are concerns that North Korea's military capabilities could advance further through technology transfers from Russia, as the two countries align over the war in Ukraine.
