North Korea Tests New Hypersonic Nuclear-Capable Missiles Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

South Korea's Hyundai Rotem revealed its advancements in hypersonic missile development, aiming for vehicles capable of speeds up to Mach 6, with flight testing expected by the decade's end. This development, in partnership with Korean defense institutes, complements South Korea's countermeasures against North Korean hypersonic missile programs. In parallel, North Korea has conducted several tests of new hypersonic missile systems, which it claims strengthen its nuclear deterrent and are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. These North Korean tests, involving missiles with maneuverable glide vehicles, occurred shortly before a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, highlighting escalating regional tensions. North Korea presents these launches as defensive progress, while the U.S. and South Korea criticize them as violations of UN sanctions and destabilizing actions. The ongoing missile developments underscore the intensifying military rivalry on the Korean Peninsula and the strategic importance of hypersonic weapons in regional security dynamics.