Pyongyang: North Korea’s state media KCNA reported on Wednesday that the country had conducted a successful test of a new mid- to long-range solid-fuel hypersonic missile.
The test, which took place on Tuesday, saw North Korea launching a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into the sea, drawing immediate condemnation from South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
According to KCNA, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the launch, hailing it as a significant advancement in the country’s defense technology and emphasizing the “absolute superiority” of North Korea’s military capabilities.
Kim Jong Un stated that with this successful test, North Korea has achieved the conversion of all its tactical, operational, and strategic-grade missiles into solid-fuel variants, equipped with warhead control and nuclearization capabilities.
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Hypersonic missiles, characterized by their high speed and maneuverability, pose significant challenges to interception efforts. Additionally, solid-fuel missiles offer the advantage of increased mobility and readiness for launch at short notice.
Tuesday’s test follows a ground test conducted in late March, which involved a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic missile.
The international community has strongly condemned North Korea’s actions, with Britain asserting that the missile launch violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
In parallel, North Korean diplomatic delegations that visited China, Vietnam, and Laos, as well as an economic delegation to Russia, have all returned home, as reported by KCNA.
