The South Korean army command has reported that North Korea has conducted the first hypersonic missile test this year. According to the Yonhap news agency, the launch was made from the Pyongyang area around midnight local time.
The missile flew about 1,100 kilometres and fell into the Sea of Japan. Military officials in Seoul believe the missile in question is a hypersonic missile, analogues of which the DPRK tested in January and April last year. Conventional ballistic missiles in North Korea, meanwhile, can fly at a range of up to 5,000 kilometres.
Times of Korea reports that the test took place against the backdrop of a visit to South Korea by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The latter intends to discuss with local authorities measures to counter Pyongyang amid the political crisis in Seoul after a failed attempt by the president to impose martial law.
The DPRK last tested on November 5, before the US presidential election. At that time, a ballistic missile also fell into the Sea of Japan.
In late December, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced a strategy of “the toughest counteraction” to the US.
