North Korea claims it successfully launched new ‘strategic ’ hypersonic missile

North Korea on Wednesday said it has successfully fired a new hypersonic missile.

The missile, called Hwasong-8, was hailed as a “strategic weapon” by state media, implying that Pyongyang are developing a new system capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Hypersonic missiles can reach more than five times the speed of sound.

Scientists confirmed the “navigational control and stability of the missile” in the first test launch, according to reports in North Korea.

The launch was the latest in a series of new weapons tests and the country’s third missile test this month.

North Korea has been developing its weapons systems which increases its defence capabilities, state news agency KCNA said.

Hypersonic weapons are considered the next generation of arms.

However, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff believe the weapon is in an early stage of development after judging the missile’s detected velocity and other data.

Chang Young-keun, a missile specialist at the Korea Aerospace University, said: “The North’s HGV technology is not comparable to those of the US, Russia or China and for now seems to aim for short-range that can target South Korea or Japan.”

The latest launch comes amid a global race to develop the advanced weapon involving the United States, Russia and China.