Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, has hailed the country’s latest military achievement, a solid-fuel hypersonic medium-to-long range missile, as proof of the nation’s “absolute superiority,” according to reports from AFP.
The missile, capable of reaching remote United States targets in the Pacific such as the island of Guam and Alaska, was launched on Tuesday, as announced by local state media. This demonstration marked a significant step forward in North Korea’s missile technology.
During the launch event, Kim Jong Un stated, “The North had developed another powerful strategic offensive weapon and achieved its goal of getting missiles with various ranges on solid-fueled, warhead-controlled, and nuclear warhead-carrying basis.”
The newly unveiled “intermediate-range solid-fuelled ballistic missile Hwasongpho-16B, loaded with a hypersonic glide warhead,” covered approximately 1000 kilometers before landing in waters between South Korea and Japan.
This launch follows a recent test-fire overseen by Kim Jong Un, showcasing North Korea’s commitment to advancing its hypersonic and solid-fuel technologies. These advancements aim to bolster the country’s missile capabilities against South Korean-US defense systems and to pose a threat to America’s regional military bases.
Security analysts are expressing concerns over the potential implications of North Korea’s latest technological developments. Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP, “With its improved and unpredictable maneuverability, North Korea poses a serious security threat that South Korea’s missile interception will not work against.”
The unveiling of this new missile has raised alarms across the region, highlighting the ongoing tensions and security challenges posed by North Korea’s military advancements. Further developments are expected as global leaders assess and respond to this latest display of North Korean military prowess.
