Dhaka, Oct. 23 -- North Korea said Thursday that its latest missile launches successfully tested a new hypersonic system designed to strengthen its nuclear war deterrent, as leader Kim Jong Un continues to expand weapons intended to overcome South Korea's defenses.

The announcement by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) came a day after South Korea's military detected the North firing multiple missiles from an area south of Pyongyang. The projectiles reportedly flew about 350 kilometers northeast before landing on land.

The launches occurred just days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where world leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in S...