North Korea says latest tests involve hypersonic weapons system

North Korea said Monday that leader Kim Jong Un observed test-flights of hypersonic missiles and underscored the need to bolster the country’s nuclear war deterrent, as the country dials up weapons displays ahead of its major political conference.

North Korea reported on the drill a day after its neighbors said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches and accused the North of carrying out provocations . The tests came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping .

The official Korean Central News Agency said Sunday’s drill involving a hypersonic weapon system was meant to examine its readiness, enhance missile troops’ firepower operational skills and evaluate operational capabilities of the country’s war deterrent.

“Through today’s launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defense has been carried out,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems.”

The possession of a functioning hypersonic weapon would give North Korea an ability to penetrate the U.S. and South Korea’s missile defense shields. In past years, North Korea has performed a series of tests to acquire it, but many foreign experts question whether the tested missiles have achieved their desired speed and maneuverability during flights.

In recent weeks, North Korea test-fired what it called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing apparent progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine.

Observers say North Korea aims to demonstrate or review its achievements on the weapons development sector ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress, the first of its kind in five years. Keen attention is on whether Kim would use the congress to set a new approach on relations with the U.S. and resume long-dormant talks.

North Korea’s nuclear program is expected to be discussed when Lee and Xi meet for a summit later Monday. Lee’s office earlier said he would call for China, North Korea’s major ally and economic pipeline take “a constructive role” in efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The latest launches followed Saturday’s audacious U.S. military operation that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power and brought him to the U.S. to face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. North Korea slammed the operation, saying it again shows “the rogue and brutal nature of the U.S.”

Many experts say the U.S. operation likely leave Kim pushing to further expand his nuclear weapons capabilities that he thinks guarantees the survival of his government and state sovereignty in the face of U.S.-led hostilities.

During Sunday’s launch drill, Kim defended his push for a stronger nuclear program. “Why it is necessary is exemplified by the recent geopolitical crisis and complicated international events,” he said.

朝鲜周一表示，领导人金正恩视察了高超音速导弹的试飞，并强调了加强该国核战争威慑力量的必要性。此前，朝鲜在即将召开的重要政治会议前夕加大了武器展示力度。

朝鲜在邻国宣布探测到多次弹道导弹发射并指责朝鲜挑衅的第二天，公布了此次演习的消息。此次试验发生在韩国总统李在明启程前往中国与习近平主席举行峰会前几个小时。

朝鲜官方的中央通讯社称，周日举行的涉及高超音速武器系统的演习旨在检验其战备状态，提高导弹部队的火力作战技能，并评估该国战争威慑的作战能力。

据朝中社报道，金正恩表示：“通过今天的发射演习，我们可以确认一项对国防而言非常重要的技术任务已经完成。我们必须不断升级军事手段，特别是进攻性武器系统。”

拥有可用的高超音速武器将使朝鲜具备突破美国和韩国导弹防御系统的能力。近年来，朝鲜进行了一系列试验以期获得这种武器，但许多外国专家质疑这些试验导弹在飞行过程中是否达到了预期的速度和机动性。

最近几周，朝鲜试射了所谓的远程战略巡航导弹和新型防空导弹，并公布了照片，显示其第一艘核动力潜艇的建造取得了明显进展。

观察人士称，朝鲜计划在五年来首次劳动党代表大会召开前，展示或回顾其在武器研发领域的成就。外界密切关注金正恩是否会利用此次大会制定新的对美关系方针，并重启长期中断的对话。

预计李明博和习近平将于周一晚些时候举行峰会，届时将讨论朝鲜核计划问题。李明博的办公室此前表示，他将呼吁朝鲜的主要盟友和经济支柱——中国，在促进朝鲜半岛和平的努力中发挥“建设性作用”。

最新一轮导弹发射紧随美国周六大胆的军事行动之后。该行动推翻了委内瑞拉领导人尼古拉斯·马杜罗的政权，并将其带回美国接受毒品恐怖主义阴谋指控。朝鲜强烈谴责此次行动，称其再次展现了“美国的流氓和残暴本性”。

许多专家表示，美国的行动可能会促使金正恩进一步扩大其核武器能力，他认为核武器能力可以保障其政府和国家主权在面对美国领导的敌对行动时的生存。

在周日的发射演习中，金正恩为其推进更强大的核计划辩护。他说：“近期的地缘政治危机和复杂的国际局势表明了发展更强大核计划的必要性。”