Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
South Korea is investigating a possible hypersonic missile launch by North Korea, following a ballistic missile test that failed early Wednesday morning.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missile test occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time, originating near Pyongyang. Japan’s Ministry of Defense also tracked the launch, noting that the missile reached an altitude of about 62 miles and traveled over 120 miles eastward. A JCS official, speaking anonymously, suggested the missile might have been hypersonic, as it exploded midair off North Korea’s east coast and produced more smoke than previous launches, indicating potential combustion issues.

This missile test follows North Korea’s recent strategic cooperation agreement with Russia and coincides with the arrival of the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt in Busan for joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who announced plans in 2021 to modernize the country’s military, has focused on developing advanced weapons systems, including hypersonic missiles, which are difficult to detect and can travel at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound.

In recent months, tensions have escalated in the region as North Korea has increased its missile and weapons tests. The United States and South Korea have responded by enhancing their joint training and trilateral exercises with Japan, aiming to strengthen their deterrence strategies. Earlier this week, North Korea condemned the presence of the Theodore Roosevelt and threatened a significant demonstration of its military capabilities.