North Korea successfully tests new intermediate-range missile

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) on Monday, state media KCNA said on Tuesday, pledging to accelerate the country’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

It was North Korea’s first missile launch since Nov 5, and coincided with a visit to South Korea by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which he pledged bilateral and trilateral cooperation, including with Japan, to respond to Pyongyang’s growing military threats.

The missile was fired from the outskirts of Pyongyang and flew about 1,500-kms at 12 times the speed of sound, reachingan altitude of nearly 100-kms before descending to a “second peak” of 42.5-kms and manoeuvring to an accurate landing on a target off the east coast, KCNA said.

South Korea’s military said the KCNA report was most likely exaggerated, estimating the range at around 1,100-kms and saying there was no second peak detected, though detailed analysis would be conducted with the United States. A “second peak” would imply the missile could change course and maintain altitude rather than descending on a ballistic trajectory.

New carbon fibre composite materials were used in the missile’s engine section, KCNA said; carbon fibre is lighter and stronger than other aerospace materials such as aluminium, but is more difficult to manufacture. KCNA said the missile could “effectively penetrate any dense defence barrier and inflict a serious military blow on the opponent,” it said.