The Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) said Monday that North Korea may soon conduct a surprise hypersonic missile launch, possibly involving an intermediate-range ballistic missile(IRBM).

The JCS revealed in a press release that the launch is likely to occur around the end of December, just before or after a key meeting that is expected to be held by North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party.

While the North's planned reconnaissance satellite launch is unlikely to occur before the end of the year, the military analyzed that the regime may conduct various provocations, such as an intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) launch or a nuclear test, to try and build its bargaining power with the new U.S. administration.

Meanwhile, in the border areas north of the Military Demarcation Line(MDL), the JCS said the North has recently been installing electric fences and has dismantled eleven out of 15 transmission towers.

The JCS predicts that the transmission tower located closest to the MDL could be used by the regime to install surveillance equipment.