North Korea Fires New Hypersonic Missile
Pyongyang Claims Technological Advance
By the Associated Press
April 1, 2024 (8:58 PM PDT) Source: Seoul North Korea announced on Wednesday that it had successfully tested a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile. The missile, designated as the Hwasong-19, is reported to be capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5 and maneuver in flight, making it difficult for defense systems to intercept. North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, hailed the test as a major step forward in the country's defense capabilities. "The Hwasong-19 is a powerful weapon that will greatly enhance our ability to protect our people and our country," Kim said in a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The test has raised concerns among international observers, who fear that it could lead to an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea's defense ministry condemned the test as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and called for the North to engage in denuclearization talks. The United States also expressed concern over the test, with the Pentagon spokesman, Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, saying that it was a "serious escalation" and that the US was closely monitoring the situation. The Hwasong-19 test is the first known weapons test by North Korea since it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile in November 2022. The test comes at a time when diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula have stalled.
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