South Korea conducts maiden flight of home-grown hypersonic missile, boosting deterrence

On Thursday, South Korea launched the inaugural flight of a hypersonic weapon developed entirely within the country, reaching speeds of at least five times the speed of sound and designed to bypass missile-defence systems. The missile detached from its booster at a predetermined altitude, then performed vertical and horizontal maneuvers before striking a test target, according to official statements. President Lee Jae Myung attended the test and hailed it as a major step toward bolstering Seoul’s conventional defence capabilities, also reviewing the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile.

The test comes amid heightened inter-Korean tensions, including recent mine explosions that injured South Korean soldiers and North Korea’s own hypersonic missile launch that landed near Japan. North Korean officials have dismissed responsibility for the mine incidents and continue to expand their nuclear programme. Lee’s administration seeks to reduce reliance on the United States while maintaining a strong deterrent posture.