North Korea said its missile bureau successfully tested a new combat weapon system, calling it an ultra‑modern defense technology, with Kim Jong‑un inspecting the test.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that the General Missile Bureau "successfully tested a new type of weapon" on Sunday, with leader Kim Jong‑un and his daughter Ju‑ae present at an unspecified location on Sept. 20, 2026. KCNA described the test as "undoubtedly a striking demonstration of ultra‑modern defense technology" and said it marked "clear progress in the modernization of the armed forces" and rapid development of weapon systems. A screen shown in KCNA photos displayed the words "Hwasongpho‑11Ma‑1 flight trajectory" and a flight distance of 908.2 km, a figure that exceeds South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff estimate of 450–600 km; experts noted the possibility that the figure was altered to claim success. The announcement came two days after South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea had fired two short‑range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from the Wonsan area, ahead of the UN General Assembly debate and an upcoming US‑China summit. North Korea did not specify the weapon type, and the claimed flight distance remains unverified.