North Korea announced on Sunday that it conducted a test of a new solid-fuel hypersonic missile with an intermediate range. According to the state news agency KNCA, the missile launch aimed to assess the reliability of newly developed multi-stage, high-thrust solid-fuel engines and an intermediate-range hypersonic maneuverable controlled warhead. Importantly, North Korea emphasized that the test did not pose any security threat to its neighboring countries.
The test coincided with the departure of a delegation led by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, heading to Russia on the same day. This development occurred amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, marked by North Korea's series of intercontinental ballistic missile launches and the deployment of its first military spy satellite. Additionally, concerns have risen over the deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, causing apprehension among Washington and its allies.
In a separate commentary reported by KCNA on Monday, North Korea accused Seoul of aggravating regional tensions through military drills and calls for armament by South Korean officials.
The missile, launched from the vicinity of Pyongyang at approximately 2:55 p.m. (0555 GMT) on Sunday, covered a distance of about 1,000 km (600 miles) off South Korea's east coast, according to South Korea's military. Japan's defense ministry reported a maximum altitude of at least 50 km (30 miles).
It's noteworthy that North Korea had previously disclosed testing its new solid-fuel engines for an intermediate ballistic missile on both November 11 and November 14.
