North Korea Declares Success in Launching Solid-Fuel Hypersonic IRBM

North Korea has announced the successful test-fire of an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) using solid fuel.

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency on the 15th, the North Korean missile bureau said, “On the afternoon of the 14th, we conducted a test launch of an intermediate-range solid fuel ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic maneuvering warhead,” and added, “The test launch was successful.”

Furthermore, it stated, “The test launch had no impact on the safety of neighboring countries and was carried out regardless of the regional situation,” and emphasized that it was “part of regular activities to develop powerful weapon systems.”

The Joint Chiefs of Staff revealed that they had detected a missile, presumed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, launched from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea at around 2:55 pm the previous day. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, “The North Korean missile landed in the East Sea after flying approximately 1000km.”