North Korea claims it tested hypersonic missile

North Korea : North Korea has successfully tested a hypersonic gliding missile, state media reported on Wednesday.

Tuesday's launch was of "great strategic significance", the official Korean Central News Agency said, as the North seeks to increase its defence capabilities a "thousand-fold".

Hypersonic missiles are much faster than ordinary missiles and are capable of beating missile defence systems, on which the US is spending billions.

The launch from Jagang province "confirmed the navigational control and stability of the missile", along with its "guiding manoeuverability and the gliding flight characteristics of the detached hypersonic gliding warhead" and the engine, according to KCNA.

"The test results proved that all the technical specifications met the design requirements", it added.

The Southern military soon announced the launch of missile but did not confirm the altitude and flight distance afterwards.

Both Koreas are building up their weapons capabilities in what could become an arms race on the divided peninsula.