North Korea says it successfully tested hypersonic missile

North Korea successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile into the sea this week, a new weapon it said bolsters the isolated country’s defense, North Korean state news outlet Korean Central News Agency claimed, according to reports.

“The development of this weapons system…[has increased] the nation’s capabilities for self-defense in every way,” KCNA said.

The Hwasong-8 missile appears far from ready for combat and is in an early stage of development, South Korea’s Joint Chief of Staff said after analyzing the launch, Reuters reported.