North Korea Claims Test of New Hypersonic Missile
US and South Korea Respond with Concerns
Original News Report:
March 25, 2024 152 AM PDT - North Korea has announced the successful test of a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile, according to state media. The missile, powered by solid fuel, marks another advancement in the country's missile capabilities.
The test, conducted on Wednesday, involved a Pukguksong-2 missile launched from Jagang Province in western North Korea. The missile traveled a distance of approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles) and reached an altitude of about 50 kilometers (31 miles) before hitting a target in the East Sea.
US and South Korean Reactions:
The US and South Korea have expressed concern over the missile test. The US condemned North Korea's "blatant violation" of UN resolutions, while South Korea called the test "a clear violation of the inter-Korean military agreement."
The US has since imposed new sanctions on North Korea, targeting individuals and entities involved in the country's weapons program. South Korea has also announced plans to deploy its second domestically made spy satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Implications for Regional Stability:
The test of a new hypersonic missile by North Korea raises concerns about the country's continued development of its weapons program. Hypersonic missiles are capable of traveling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making them difficult to intercept. The test also underscores the ongoing tensions between North Korea and the US and South Korea.
While it remains to be seen how this latest test will affect the ongoing negotiations between North Korea and the US, it is clear that the development of hypersonic missiles by North Korea represents a significant threat to regional stability.
Comments