Pyongyang: North Korea seized on the Venezuela issue to reiterate its need for nuclear weapons. North Korean leader Pyongyang indirectly cited the situation in Venezuela as a pretext for the recent geopolitical crisis, claiming that North Korea needs nuclear weapons to deter other countries.

According to Thai News Agency, North Korea's state news agency KCNA reported on remarks by leader Kim Jong Un regarding yesterday's missile launch, stating that North Korea has accomplished a crucial technological task for national defense and must continue to improve its tactics, especially its offensive weapons systems. Kim also said that the recent geopolitical crisis and diverse international circumstances make maintaining or increasing its nuclear weapons system for deterrence a vital strategic priority for North Korea.

Prior to firing the missile, North Korea issued a statement condemning the US attack on Venezuela and the abduction of its leader on Saturday, calling it a serious violation of sovereignty and another demonstration of the US's thuggish and barbaric behavior.

North Korean media confirmed that Kim Jong-un oversaw a hypersonic missile test yesterday, following reports from neighboring South Korea and Japan that they detected multiple ballistic missile launches. The test came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's first official visit to China as head of state on Sunday. KCNA stated that the hypersonic weapons system exercise was to test readiness, enhance personnel skills in missile launching, and assess the operational capabilities of the country's war deterrence system. The results showed that the missiles hit targets up to 1,000 kilometers away in the sea off North Korea's east coast.