Hypersonic missiles highlight arms race on Korean Peninsula
Both Seoul and Pyongyang have now tested weapons feared by military planners for their speed and ability to maneuver in flight.
North Korea tested two submarine-launched cruise missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, following state media's report that leader Kim Jong Un had visited a defense industry museum showcasing an intercontinental ballistic missile. This visit occurred just days after South Korea tested its first domestically developed hypersonic missile.
Both nations are in a race to develop hypersonic technology due to its superior offensive capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Hypersonic missiles, which can travel at Mach 5 or faster, are challenging to detect, track, and intercept because of their speed and ability to change course during flight.
Chris Green, a Korea Peninsula analyst, said hypersonic weapons have become a priority for South Korea, given North Korea's growing capabilities and alliances with Russia. He emphasized that North Korea's pursuit of advanced conventional weapons is a response to geopolitical tensions in the region. While the exact capabilities of North Korea's claimed hypersonic missiles remain uncertain, both sides' development of such weapons raises concerns about the potential for increased aggression and the need for enhanced missile defense strategies.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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