Recent developments indicate that North Korea has taken a significant step forward in its hypersonic missile program, which could have serious implications for regional security and U.S. military interests.
What Happened: North Korea has made significant progress in its missile technology, successfully testing a solid-fuel engine for a new hypersonic missile, Politico reported on Wednesday.
The state media of North Korea announced the development, which marks an advancement in the country’s efforts to create a missile capable of striking distant U.S. targets, specifically in the Pacific region.
This new missile technology is part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un‘s promise in 2021 to enhance the nation’s arsenal with high-tech weaponry. The move is seen as a strategy to leverage the United States for concessions such as the easing of sanctions, should diplomatic talks resume.
Experts point out that the intermediate-range missiles North Korea is focusing on are designed to target the U.S. territory of Guam, which hosts significant American military bases. These missiles could also be adjusted to hit closer U.S. military locations in Japan, including Okinawa.
Why It Matters: Earlier this week, North Korea demonstrated its military prowess by conducting drills with advanced "super-large" rocket launchers, overseen by Kim Jong Un himself. These exercises were intended to evaluate the “real war capabilities” of the weaponry and to enhance the combat morale of the artillery units.
Additionally, the missile tests occurred amid a significant diplomatic event, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Seoul. North Korea’s actions during this period were condemned by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a threat to peace and security and a violation of U.N. resolutions.
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