North Korea test-fires its new hypersonic missile into East Sea
Asia-Pacific, News January 5, 2022 1 Comment on North Korea test-fires its new hypersonic missile into East SeaNorth Korea test-fired its second hypersonic missile into the East Sea on January 5, making it the first such launch by Pyongyang in 2022.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the missile that was fired on January 5 was a hypersonic missile. The KCNA further said that the new missile hit a target about 700km (435 miles) away.
North Korea conducted its first test of the hypersonic missile, Hwasong-8, in September 2021. The missile was topped with a hypersonic gliding vehicle warhead. According to the North Korean official news agency, “the development of this weapons system… [has increased] the nation’s capabilities for self-defense in every way”. North Koreans called the missile a “strategic weapon”, which usually means it has nuclear capabilities.
ALSO READ: North Korea test-fires Hwasong-8 hypersonic missile
Earlier, South Korean and Japanese officials believed that North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff General Won In-choul said the suspected missile was fired around 8:10 a.m. (2310 GMT) from an inland location.
In response to the launch, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff General Won In-choul said in a statement, “Our military is maintaining readiness posture in preparation for a possible additional launch while closely monitoring the situation in close cooperation with the United States.”
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who was in the eastern coastal city of Goseong attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a rail line that would connect the Korean peninsula, expressed concern that the missile test would raise tensions and damage inter-Korean relations and urged the North Korean regime to engage in dialogue.
President Moon stated: “We should not give up the hope for dialogue in order to fundamentally overcome this situation. If both Koreas work together and build trust, peace will be achieved one day.”
After the missile launch, South Korea’s National Security Council convened an emergency meeting and expressed concern that the test “came at a time when internal and external stability is extremely important”. South Koran officials also called on the North to immediately return to dialogue on denuclearization.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida denounced the missile launch and told reporters that “We find it truly regrettable that North Korea has continued to fire missiles from last year.”
Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said in a statement that the suspected ballistic missile had flown about 500 km (310 miles) and landed in waters outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin urged all relevant parties to “act prudently, adhere to the right direction of dialogue and negotiation, and work together to promote the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.”
ALSO READ: North Korean leader convenes party meeting to discuss next year’s strategic policy
Earlier on December 27, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un convened an important meeting of the ruling party to make decisions on major strategic and tactical policies for the next year. More recently, Kim Jong Un has prioritized rural development and shifted focus on internal policies to cope with the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and international sanctions. However, North Korea continues to advance its defense capabilities and nuclear weapons and missile program.
Since September 2021, North Korea has conducted a series of weapon tests including its newly developed hypersonic missile with nuclear capabilities to show its military strength. Experts believe that North Korea seeks to normalize its defense activities with the goal of winning international acceptance of its nuclear and ballistic missiles that have been sanctioned by UN Security Council resolutions.
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