North Korea conducted a launch training exercise involving the Hwasong-16B hypersonic missile on January 4, 2026, signaling continued progress toward operational deployment of advanced strategic strike systems. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the drill forms part of Pyongyang’s broader effort to establish a credible war deterrence posture by validating the readiness and responsiveness of its missile forces.
State media reported that units of the Korean People’s Army’s main firepower strike group executed the exercise under the direct supervision of leader Kim Jong-un. The event was described as a comprehensive assessment of combat preparedness, mission execution procedures, and the reliability of North Korea’s evolving strategic deterrent. Analysts view the exercise as a strong indication that the Hwasong-16B is moving beyond developmental testing and toward frontline operational status.
The missile was launched from the Rippo District near Pyongyang, traveling northeast and striking a designated target approximately 1,000 kilometers away in the East Sea (Sea of Japan). This range closely mirrors previous test flights, reinforcing assessments that the January exercise was designed as a realistic mission rehearsal rather than a maximum-range demonstration. KCNA emphasized rapid force activation and troop proficiency under simulated wartime conditions as key objectives of the drill.
The Hwasong-16B, also referred to as Hwasong-16Na1, is North Korea’s first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). It employs a two-stage solid-propellant booster and is deployed via a road-mobile transporter erector launcher using a cold-launch system. The missile is assessed to be capable of carrying either a maneuverable reentry vehicle or a hypersonic glide vehicle, significantly complicating interception efforts by missile defense systems and marking a major advancement in North Korea’s strategic missile capabilities.
