North Korea’s Successful Test of Hypersonic IRBM Stirs Global Concerns
North Korea’s Successful Test-Firing of Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
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On the 15th, North Korea declared the successful test-firing of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) employing a novel solid fuel propulsion system. Unlike liquid-fueled missiles, which necessitate fuel injection before launch, solid-fuel missiles eliminate this step, allowing for surprise attacks.
This launch occurred approximately two months after North Korea announced a successful ground ejection test for the 1st and 2nd stage engines developed for solid-fueled IRBMs in November.
This marks North Korea’s first ballistic missile launch of the year, occurring 27 days after the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch on December 18th of the previous year. During that period, North Korea conducted missile tests on consecutive days, specifically on the 17th and 18th.
The North Korean missile headquarters disclosed on the 14th afternoon that they had conducted a test launch of a medium-range solid fuel ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic maneuvering warhead, confirming its successful completion, as the Korean Central News Agency reported.
North Korea’s Purpose and Objectives of the Test Launch
The missile headquarters explained the purpose of this test launch as “the activation of a medium-range hypersonic maneuvering warhead” and “confirmation of the reliability of newly developed multi-stage high-thrust solid fuel engines (engines).”
At the same time, it claimed that “the test launch did not have any impact on the safety of neighboring countries and was conducted completely unrelated to the regional situation” and “it is part of regular activities to develop powerful weapon systems.” However, North Korea did not disclose the altitude and range of the missile launched this time and the mobile launcher (TEL) that can identify the missile’s specifications.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area to the East Sea at around 2:55 pm on the previous day (14th), and this missile landed in the East Sea after flying about 1000 km.
Reaction from South Korea, the United States, and Japan
Meanwhile, Kim Geon, head of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Bureau, shared an evaluation of North Korea’s medium-range ballistic missile launch through a three-way phone call with Jung Pak, U.S. special envoy for North Korea, and Hiroyuki Namazu, Japan’s chief representative for North Korean nuclear issues, the day before. The three representatives condemned North Korea for threatening peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region by launching its first ballistic missile of the year following the West Sea artillery firing at the beginning of the year.
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