South Korea flight-tests first domestically developed hypersonic weapon; Lee attends
In short
South Korea flight-tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon on Thursday, the Associated Press reported, and President Lee Jae Myung attended the test. A statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target. North Korea tested its own hypersonic missile last week.
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South Korea flight-tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon on Thursday, the Associated Press reported, and President Lee Jae Myung attended the test. Reuters reported that Lee oversaw the test-fire of a hypersonic missile, and NPR also reported the test. According to AP, the weapon is designed to fly at least five times the speed of sound and evade missile defense systems, bringing Seoul closer to what it says could be game-changing weapons capabilities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Lee said the test was a major step in strengthening the country's conventional defense capabilities, according to a statement, which did not say where the test took place. The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target. It said that once developed, the weapon would be able to strike key targets by surprise in the "Korean Peninsula theater of operations." [ 2 , 3 ]
Lee stressed that South Korea "must secure our security through our own strength." His office said Lee also inspected the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile on Thursday; AP described it as the country's most powerful. AP reported that the office did not mention any direct comments by Lee on North Korea. [ 2 , 3 ]
There was no immediate response from North Korea, which tested its own hypersonic missile last week; AP reported that it landed in the waters near Japan. NPR reported that the South's test follows North Korea's recent hypersonic missile test. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Tensions between the Koreas have increased in recent weeks after three South Korean soldiers were injured in land mine explosions last month near the inter-Korean border. The South's military and the U.S.-led United Nations Command concluded the blasts were caused by devices planted by North Korea, which has denied responsibility and ridiculed the South's demands for an apology. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
AP reported that North Korea has also stepped up weapons testing as its leader Kim Jong Un expands his military nuclear program while taking an increasingly hard line toward Seoul. Kim has so far rebuffed U.S. President Donald Trump's calls to revive their diplomacy, which broke down in 2019, with his government demanding that Washington abandon its "hostile" policy toward Pyongyang. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
According to AP, the weapon is designed to fly at least five times the speed of sound and evade missile defense systems, and Seoul says such weapons could be game-changing capabilities. The test comes as tensions between the Koreas have increased after land mine explosions injured three South Korean soldiers near the border, blasts the South's military and the U.S.-led United Nations Command attributed to devices planted by North Korea, which denies responsibility.
Key facts
- South Korea flight-tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon on Thursday. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- President Lee Jae Myung attended the test. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The weapon is designed to fly at least five times the speed of sound and evade missile defense systems. [ 2 , 3 ]
- According to a statement, the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Lee also inspected the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile on Thursday, his office said. [ 2 , 3 ]
- North Korea tested its own hypersonic missile last week; it landed in the waters near Japan. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Land mine explosions near the border injured three South Korean soldiers; North Korea denies responsibility. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- South Korea test-flew its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- President Lee Jae Myung attended the hypersonic weapon test. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The test follows a recent hypersonic missile test by North Korea. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Three South Korean soldiers were injured in land mine explosions near the border, and North Korea denies responsibility. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Where the test took place. The statement reported by AP did not say where the test was held.
- How North Korea will respond. AP reported there was no immediate response from North Korea.
- When the weapon will be fully developed. The statement said only that the weapon would be able to strike key targets by surprise once developed, without giving a timeframe.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters reported that President Lee oversaw the test-fire of a hypersonic missile. [ 1 ]
- The Associated Press reported that South Korea tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon. [ 2 ]
- The Seattle Times carried the AP report. [ 3 ]
- NPR reported the test, noting it follows North Korea's recent hypersonic missile test. [ 4 ]