Revealed, The Projectile Fired By North Korea Yesterday Was A Hwasong-8 Hypersonic Missile

North Korea's test-firing of a train-based missile. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - It was a puzzle, the type of projectile fired by North Korea in yesterday's test was a hypersonic missile, state media KCNA said on Wednesday.

North Korea fired missiles into the sea off its east coast, the South Korean military said, as Pyongyang called on the United States and South Korea to drop their "double standards" on weapons programs to restart diplomatic talks at the 76th UN General Assembly.

Yesterday's test involved a hypersonic missile newly developed by North Korea. The development of the weapons system enhances North Korea's defense capabilities, KCNA said.

As with the previous three missile tests, so far this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was not present to observe the test run.

"In the first test launch, national defense scientists confirmed the navigational control and stability of the missile in the live section," the report said, citing Reuters Sept. 29.

It said the missile, referred to as the Hwasong-8, was launched according to its technical specifications, including guidance maneuverability and gliding flight characteristics of a detached hypersonic launch warhead."

North and South Korea both tested ballistic missiles on Sept. 15, the latest strike in an arms race in which both countries have developed increasingly sophisticated weapons while efforts have proved futile to keep talks going on easing tensions.

It is known, prior to yesterday's test, North Korea had conducted three other tests so far this month. First, the successful launch of a cruise missile capable of flying up to 1,500 kilometers.

Two days later, Pyongyang said it had test-launched two of its ballistic missiles. Just a day later, North Korea also conducted a test-firing of a train-based missile.