President Lee Jae Myung Observes First Test Launch of Hypersonic New Weapon, Orders Rapid Deployment
President Lee Jae Myung personally observed the first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) by the Agency for Defense Development, a government research institute that researches and develops new weapons, on the 8th, and ordered its rapid field deployment. What kind of weapon is it that prompted the president to visit the site in person? The HGV is a missile that accelerates into the upper atmosphere aboard a rocket booster, then separates and glides at low altitude. It is assessed as capable of penetrating enemy air defense networks (a defensive shield that blocks enemy attacks) thanks to its unpredictable trajectory and high speed.
According to the presidential office, President Lee headed straight to the test launch site immediately after a state luncheon with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, accompanied by Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kang Geon-jak. Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a briefing, "After separating from the booster, the glide vehicle descended to a low altitude, completed irregular gliding flight by freely changing its trajectory vertically and horizontally, and precisely hit the designated target point."
At the site, President Lee emphasized, "We will develop advanced weapons and deploy them so that the people need not worry at all," adding, "Our security must be secured through our own strength." The presidential office stated, "Preparations have been completed for the full-scale acquisition of a new deterrent capable of striking key targets on the Korean Peninsula battlefield."
North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea on the 3rd, with Kim Yo-jong, a department director of the Workers' Party, promoting it as "equipped with the ability to change flight trajectory at low altitude." However, on the 4th, the Defense Ministry countered that the missile was at a level that could be sufficiently detected and intercepted by South Korean and U.S. defense assets. Political circles interpret the public release of this test launch as a security message demonstrating that the South Korean military's defense posture has no problems amid North Korean missile threats.
