SEOUL, October 9 (AJP) — South Korea publicly showcased the successful first test of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle amid heightened tensions with North Korea.
President Lee Jae Myung observed Thursday’s test and called for the weapon’s rapid development and deployment before inspecting the Hyunmoo-5 high-power missile, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
“Our security must be secured through our own strength,” Lee said, adding that the government would support the development and operational deployment of advanced weapons.
The public display came amid heightened tensions following recent North Korean military activity, including a land mine incident in the Demilitarized Zone and Pyongyang’s own hypersonic missile test days earlier.
Cheong Wa Dae did not explicitly link Thursday’s event to North Korea.
The hypersonic glide vehicle, or HGV, rose to its target altitude before separating successfully and completing its planned flight under hypersonic conditions.
After separation, the vehicle descended and carried out irregular low-altitude gliding maneuvers, changing its trajectory vertically and horizontally before accurately striking its designated target.
The test was designed to verify key technologies including ultra-high-temperature heat-resistant materials, guidance and control capabilities and irregular low-altitude maneuvering.
Cheong Wa Dae described the system as a potential strategic asset capable of striking key targets through high speed and unpredictable flight paths.
It said the successful test marked progress toward securing a new deterrence capability suited to the operational environment of the Korean Peninsula.
Lee received a briefing on the launch plan from a senior researcher at the Agency for Defense Development and asked whether launching from a barge was intended to address safety concerns.
After being informed that the test had succeeded, Lee praised researchers for helping strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.
Lee also urged officials to further refine the HGV and accelerate its development and deployment, saying the government should not remain satisfied with the initial success.
After observing the test, Lee inspected the Hyunmoo-5 high-power missile operated by the South Korean military and said stronger independent defense capabilities would help safeguard peace and stability.
Officials from the Agency for Defense Development attended the event along with the defense minister, the head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and a senior presidential national security official.
AJP Takeaways
- South Korea publicly showcased the first successful test of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle amid heightened tensions with North Korea.
- President Lee Jae Myung called for faster development and operational deployment of the hypersonic glide vehicle after observing the test.
- Lee also inspected the Hyunmoo-5 high-power missile, while Cheong Wa Dae did not explicitly link the weapons display to recent North Korean activity.
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