By The South Asia Times

SEOUL - North Korea said Saturday it test-fired an intermediate-range strategic missile under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-un, claiming the weapon demonstrated advanced flight capabilities that could challenge enemy missile-tracking systems.

Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, announced that the firing drill took place at dawn and involved a strategic weapon launched toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said earlier that it had detected a ballistic missile launch from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s east coast. The missile flew more than 700 kilometres, according to the South Korean military.

KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un supervised the exercise conducted by a firepower sub-unit.

Kim Yo-jong said the test demonstrated the performance of a special flight mode designed to complicate efforts to track North Korean missiles.

“Whenever we applied the wave-like trajectory mode to missiles, the enemy failed to track the targets from their first skip points,” she said, according to KCNA.

She also claimed that the missile could alter its flight path at low altitude and incorporated artificial intelligence technology.

“In other words, this means that there is no way to avoid this attack,” she said.

The claims could not be independently verified.

- Pyongyang claims advances in missile technology

North Korea’s Missile Administration briefed Kim Jong-un on the missile’s capabilities, reporting that it could be configured to use at least four flight-trajectory modes depending on its mission and target, KCNA said.

The North Korean leader reportedly expressed confidence that other countries would be unable to acquire comparable technology for several years.

The announcement did not provide independently verifiable technical details about the missile, its guidance systems or the role of artificial intelligence in its operation.

North Korea has continued developing ballistic missiles and other weapons systems despite international sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programmes. Its missile launches have repeatedly raised security concerns in South Korea, Japan and the United States.

- Regional security concerns

The latest launch comes amid continuing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea’s weapons development and military activities have prompted increased vigilance from neighbouring countries.

South Korea monitors North Korean missile launches through its military surveillance systems, while Seoul and Washington maintain security cooperation to deter potential threats.

The reported launch distance of more than 700 kilometres indicates that the missile travelled a substantial distance, but the available information does not establish its maximum range or independently confirm Pyongyang’s claims about its manoeuvrability.

North Korea’s announcement also did not specify whether the test was linked to an imminent military operation or provide details of any planned follow-up launches.

Further assessments by regional militaries would be needed to establish the missile’s technical performance and the significance of the claimed flight capabilities.