Trump’s Asian ally’s hypersonic rhetoric backfires as Putin’s nuclear ally Kim upgrades missiles?

North Korea has reportedly test-fired an upgraded tactical ballistic missile, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula after South Korea’s hypersonic weapon test. Pyongyang described the October 12 launch as a “big success,” claiming an important upgrade to a key missile component. South Korea’s military detected multiple ballistic missile launches from the Pyongyang area, with one projectile reportedly travelling over 900 kilometres before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. The latest test marks North Korea’s 16th ballistic missile test this year, intensifying concerns over the growing arms race between the two Koreas.