President Lee Jae-myung oversaw the country’s first test-firing of a domestically developed hypersonic missile.
Seoul’s test of a hypersonic glide vehicle, a manoeuvrable weapon that can change course during flight, came days after North Korea said its leader Kim Jong-un had also overseen his own test of a hypersonic missile.
“Today, the first test launch of a hypersonic missile we are developing with our own technology was a success. I am truly proud,” Lee wrote in a Facebook post.
Calling it progress in “self-reliant defence”, Lee said South Korea will “keep investing steadily in advanced defence technologies, including hypersonic propulsion, AI and high-powered lasers”.
The South Korean missile is a “strategic asset” for the country, the presidential office said, adding that it was capable of striking a target by surprise with its unpredictable flight paths and overwhelming speed. — Reuters
