This Wednesday, the army of South Korea denounced that a hypersonic missile launched by the regime Kim Jong-un exploded in mid-flight over the waters near the city of Wonsan. This incident occurs days after Pyongyang protest the recent deployment of a US aircraft carrier for new trilateral military exercises between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo.
He South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the ballistic missile was launched from the capital region around 5:30 Wednesday morning towards the eastern waters of the country. However, the launch was unsuccessful. Later, it was detailed that the missile exploded in mid-flight over the waters of Wonsanon the North Korean east coast, scattering fragments until 250 kilometers from the launch site. Fortunately, no damage was reported.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff suspect the missile was a solid-fuel hypersonic model. The launch was observed to emit more smoke than normal, which could indicate an engine error. The test could have been aimed at improving the capability of the hypersonic weapons system.
He United States Indo-Pacific Command He condemned the North Korean launch, although he confirmed that it did not represent an immediate threat to the US territory or its allies. In their statement, they reaffirmed that Washington’s defense commitments to South Korea and Japan “remain ironclad.”
Since 2021, North Korea has conducted several tests with hypersonic missiles, apparently with the aim of overcoming its rivals’ anti-missile shields. However, international experts question whether North Korean hypersonic vehicles have demonstrated the expected speed and maneuverability during these tests.
In recent years, Pyongyang has focused its efforts on developing solid fuel weapons, a mixture of fuel and oxidizer Bonded by a hard rubber material and packaged in a metal casing. These weapons are more difficult to detect compared to liquid propellant missiles, which require refueling before takeoff.
The missile launch coincides with an intensification of psychological campaigns between the two Koreas, reminiscent of the Cold War. In recent weeks, both countries have launched balloons and broadcast propaganda over public address systems.
On tuesday night, Seoul reported that Pyongyang launched huge garbage balloons across the border for the second day in a row. South Korean media reported that they arrived around 100 North Korean balloons with waste bags. Since late May, the North has launched garbage balloons in response to South Korean activists sending political leaflets using the same method.
On June 9, South Korea briefly resumed broadcasting propaganda from loudspeakers along the border for the first time in years in response to the North’s actions. The South Korean military indicated Monday that it was prepared to turn on the public address system again if necessary.
This recent failed hypersonic missile launch and continued psychological tensions underscore the volatility of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the need for constant vigilance by the military and diplomatic forces involved. @mundiario
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