North Korea launches hypersonic missile without apologizing for landmines
North Korea missile launch, fired a hypersonic ballistic missile into the East Sea amid tensions in the DMZ Read on for the South Korean military's tracking and origin identification, and for North Korea's claims and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula
North Korea fired a ballistic missile equipped with hypersonic technology into the East Sea, without issuing an apology or acknowledgment over the controversy surrounding the laying of mines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected a missile launched from the Wonsan area of North Korea on the morning of the 3rd, and assessed its flight distance at more than 700 km.
North Korea claimed in a statement issued under the name of Kim Yojong, director of the Workers' Party, that the launch was a test of a “mediumrange strategic missile,” and criticized the detection capabilities of South Korea and Japan as limited. However, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said it tracked the missile immediately after launch and identified the launch point, rebutting North Korea's claim.
This launch took place amid tensions surrounding the recent discovery of mines in the DMZ. North Korea has continued to stage displays of force without showing any intention of dialogue with South Korea, while the South Korean government said it is closely monitoring North Korean movements.