North Korea has reported a successful test of a solid-fuel engine for its new intermediate-range hypersonic missile. The country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, oversaw the ground test personally. North Korea has been focusing on developing weapons with solid propellants in recent years, making their launches more difficult to detect. The interest in hypersonic weapons is aimed at overcoming US and South Korean missile defense systems. The international community continues to monitor North Korea’s actions closely as tensions in the region remain high.