North Korea Claims Successful Test of New Solid-Fuel Intermediate-Range Missile Equipped with Hypersonic Warhead

North Korea Tests New Hypersonic Missile, Deepening Nuclear Standoff

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea announced on Wednesday that it had successfully tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile powered by solid propellants. This latest demonstration of military might is heightening tensions in the region and escalating the nuclear standoff with neighboring countries and the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that his country now possesses the capability to develop solid-fuel, nuclear-capable systems for missiles of all ranges. This development is seen as a significant step forward in North Korea’s pursuit of an arsenal that could pose a viable threat to its adversaries in Asia and the U.S.

The test, which was supervised by Kim, involved the launch of the Hwasong-16B missile. North Korean state media reported that this missile is a key component of Kim’s nuclear war deterrent strategy, aimed at countering perceived threats from the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

In recent years, North Korea has been focusing on developing weapons with solid propellants, which are easier to transport, conceal, and launch quickly compared to liquid-propellant missiles. The country’s expanding arsenal includes solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles and a variety of short and mid-range missiles that can be deployed from various platforms.

The recent test of the hypersonic missile comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with North Korea using the distraction of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to accelerate its weapons testing. The United States, South Korea, and Japan have responded by increasing their military exercises and deploying strategic assets to deter North Korean aggression.

As North Korea continues to advance its missile technology, the international community remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation for any further provocations.