Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle
South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday refuted a claim by North Korea's missile chief that questions Seoul's recent test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Earlier in the day, Jang Chang-ha, director-general of North Korea's Missile Administration, claimed that South Korea's test of the HGV may not have achieved hypersonic flight because its outside appearance was "not stained with…
South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday dismissed a claim by North Korea's missile chief that questioned Seoul's recent test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). According to North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, North Korea's director-general of the Missile Administration, Jang Chang-ha, suggested that South Korea's test of the HGV may not have attained hypersonic flight due to the lack of a soot-stained appearance in photographs provided by South Korea after the test on the previous Thursday.
The defense ministry refuted this assertion, stating that the vehicle possesses advanced thermal-protection technology which makes it impossible for any visible soot to be present during hypersonic flight. The military also mentioned plans to further develop technologies related to the weaponization of the HGV. The test of the HGV was a rare public disclosure by Cheong Wa Dae, the South Korean presidential office, highlighting the development of a key military asset.
This development took place amid heightened inter-Korean tensions following a recent land mine explosion in the border area that injured personnel.
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