The Hwasong-8 (Korean: 《화성-8》형; Hanja: 火星-8型; lit. Mars Type 8) is a North Korean missile claimed to be mounting a hypersonic glide vehicle, which was first tested on 14 September 2021. The first launch occurred in September, in a month with a total of four missile launches. As it is supposed to be a hypersonic missile, the missile significantly increases the threat that North Korea can put on South Korea, as the higher speed allows it to reach its target in shorter time and additional maneuverability would give it a better chance at defeating missile defenses. Japanese tracking data from a test launch suggest it is a hypersonic ballistic missile, as North Korea described it.