North Korea's hypersonic missile test sparks global tensions
North Korean state media reported on Tuesday that a successful test of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) equipped with a hypersonic warhead was conducted the previous day. According to leader Kim Jong Un, the weapon is capable of "effectively" deterring rivals in the Pacific region.
The missile traveled approximately 932 miles at 12 times the speed of sound, reaching an altitude of 62 miles before hitting the designated target. The tests were overseen by Kim Jong Un via a monitoring system, according to the North Korean news agency KCNA.
Alarming words from Blinken
On Monday, the South Korean military and the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported detecting the launch of the IRBM. In their assessment, the missile traveled about 684 miles and landed in the Sea of Japan.
That day in Seoul, outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that "there is credible evidence that Moscow intends to share advanced space and satellite technologies with Pyongyang" in exchange for support provided in the war against Ukraine.
"Effectively deterring rivals"
The agency reports that a new carbon fiber mixture was used for the engine body, and the system "can deliver a serious blow to the rival while effectively breaking through any dense defense barrier."
"The hypersonic weapon system will effectively deter any rivals in the Pacific region who may impact the security of our state," said Kim, quoted by KCNA.
Kim threatens the US
At the end of December last year, Kim committed to adopting the "harshest counterstrategy against the USA" during a meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. He also stated that military cooperation between South Korea, the USA, and Japan has transformed into a "military bloc of aggression."
The Yonhap agency reminds us that North Korea launched an IRBM in January and April of the previous year. Pyongyang conducted its last missile test on November 5 of last year. Since Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential elections on November 6, Pyongyang has ceased this type of provocation.
