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Seoul [South Korea], January 15: North Korea announced that it had successfully tested a solid-fuel ballistic missile carrying a hypersonic warhead in its first launch in 2024.
The missile launch took place on the afternoon of January 14, described by North Korea as a normal activity to develop powerful weapons systems. KCNA news agency reported today, January 15, that the medium-range ballistic missile uses solid fuel and is equipped with a mobile-controlled hypersonic warhead.
The test aimed to verify the gliding and maneuvering capabilities of the warhead, as well as the reliability of the newly developed high-thrust multistage solid-fuel engines.
"The test launch has no impact on the security of any neighboring country and is not related to the regional situation," KCNA stated. Meanwhile, a US State Department spokesman condemned North Korea's latest action, calling it a violation of many United Nations Security Council resolutions, according to Yonhap news agency.
Previously, the South Korean military announced that it had detected North Korea launching missiles around Pyongyang on the afternoon of January 14. The missile flew about 1,000 km before falling into the sea. This is Pyongyang's first missile launch in 2024 and the first since the launch of the solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-18 on December 18, 2023.
Solid-fuel rockets are said to be more difficult to detect before launch than liquid-fueled rockets, which require more preparation steps such as pumping fuel.
In a related development, former US President Donald Trump on January 14 praised his personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, affirming that America was safe while he was in office, according to Yonhap .
Mr. Trump, currently running for re-election to the White House, made the announcement during a rally in Indianola, Iowa, the day before the first Republican vote in the state, and a few hours after the missile launch. North Korean fire.
"Kim Jong-un is very smart, very tough but he likes me and I am very close to him and we are safe. We were about to go to war with them. They have a huge nuclear arsenal, can be as big as anyone's, so we did very well," the former president said. Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim Jong-un met several times during the period when North Korea pursued a dialogue approach with the US and South Korea.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper