North Korea announced on Wednesday that it has tested two types of submarine-launched cruise missiles on its eastern coast. This report was released a day after North Korean state media showed Kim Jong Un, the leader of the country, visiting a new defense industry museum, where he praised an intercontinental ballistic missile that is said to have the capability to target the United States.
Military Surprises from South Korea
This visit took place five days after Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea, witnessed the test launch of the first domestically produced hypersonic missile. South Korea's advancements in this area followed North Korea's announcement on October 3 of its medium-range hypersonic missile test, which reportedly traveled 350 kilometers (217 miles).
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According to North Korean state media, "Kim Jong Un" expressed hope that all of the country's missile forces would remain loyal to their missions in defending the sovereignty and security of the republic in a responsible wartime posture.
Hypersonic Weapons Development
Both North Korea and South Korea are competing to develop hypersonic technology, which has become an advanced offensive capability largely due to rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Hypersonic missiles can travel at speeds of at least five times the speed of sound (Mach 5) or over 6,100 kilometers per hour. The high speed of these missiles makes it very difficult for defenders to detect, track, and destroy them.
Chris Green, a Korea Peninsula analyst for the International Crisis Group, stated that "this arms race on the Korean Peninsula has been ongoing for years, and hypersonic weapons are just the latest manifestation of it."
He added that hypersonic weapons have been prioritized by South Korea as North Korea has enhanced its capabilities and strengthened its military and economic ties with Russia.
However, Green believes that the development of acceptable systems by both sides may maintain the balance of power and raise further concerns about missile defense in South Korea and Japan.
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