SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea has successfully conducted an important test aimed at developing missiles carrying multiple warheads, state media KCNA said on Thursday.
The test was carried out on Wednesday using a first-stage engine equipped with a solid-fuel based intermediate and long-range ballistic missile, it said.
The dispatch came a day after South Korea's military said that North Korea launched what appeared to be a hypersonic missile off its east coast but it exploded in midair.
KCNA said the missile succeeded in separating warheads which were accurately guided to three preset targets.
"The purpose was to secure the capability to destroy individual targets using multiple warheads," it said.
(Reporting by Hyonhee ShinEditing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)
