Seoul: North Korea fired a suspected hypersonic missile into the East Sea on Monday, the South Korean military said, marking its first provocation this year ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported detecting the launch of a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) at about 12 p.m. from the Pyongyang area, which traveled approximately 1,100 kilometers before landing in the sea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, while the missile's flight distance was shorter than the typical IRBM range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers, it bears similarity to North Korea's IRBMs equipped with hypersonic warheads launched in January and April last year. Hypersonic missiles are known for their ability to change direction mid-flight, making them more challenging to intercept compared to conventional ballistic missiles. If confirmed, this would represent the farthest distance covered by a North Korean missile of this type.
The missile is also theoretically capable of reaching U.S. military bases in Guam, located about 3,400 kilometers from Pyongyang, if it were to be fired at full range. The launch coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Seoul for discussions on deterring North Korean threats amid South Korea's political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful martial law bid.
South Korean officials have expressed concerns that North Korea might exploit the political crisis by engaging in military activities, thereby increasing cross-border tensions. The launch has led to speculation that it might be a test of the South Korean military's readiness after Yoon's brief declaration of martial law on December 3 and his subsequent impeachment.
"Under a firm South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, our military will closely monitor various North Korean activities so that it does not misjudge the current security situation," the JCS stated, condemning the launch as a "clear provocation." This recent demonstration of force from North Korea comes just two weeks before Trump's inauguration on January 20, following a two-month pause in missile launches.
Last month, the JCS suggested that North Korea might conduct a surprise hypersonic missile launch, considering various internal and external political events, including Trump's inauguration and recent indications of missile-related activity. The North previously launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on November 5, shortly before the U.S. presidential election.
During a year-end party meeting, North Korea declared its intention to implement the "toughest" counteraction strategy against the United States, criticizing the military cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan as a "military bloc for aggression." Hypersonic missiles are among the advanced weapons North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to develop during a key party congress in 2021, alongside nuclear-powered submarines, spy satellites, and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.