North Korea announces testing of hypersonic solid-fuel ballistic missile
North Korea announced the testing of a solid-fuel ballistic missile (photo: GettyImages)
North Korea's missile control conducted a test of a solid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic maneuverable guided warhead, according to the North Korean state news agency KCNA.
The tests were reportedly aimed at verifying the planned and maneuvering characteristics of the hypersonic guided warhead of medium-range and the reliability of multi-stage high-thrust solid-fuel engines.
South Korea's armed forces stated that the missile, launched from the Pyongyang area, flew approximately 1000 km off the country's east coast, while Japan's defense ministry claimed that the maximum altitude reached at least 50 km. The projectile fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Military activities of North Korea
North Korea regularly asserts its unassailable status as a nuclear state and conducts frequent ballistic missile launches towards the East and Yellow Seas.
On January 5, North Korea fired about 200 artillery shells near two South Korean islands on the western border - Yeonpyeongdo and Baengnyeongdo, forcing the evacuation of island residents. Another 60 shells were fired the following day.
Meanwhile, the United States and South Korea are working on a joint nuclear defense strategy that aims to establish an integrated deterrence system against North Korea's nuclear weapons by the middle of next year.
