Suspected North Korean hypersonic missile explodes in mid-flight

A suspected hypersonic missile launched by North Korea exploded midair on June 26, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The missile, launched from near Pyongyang, ended in failure as it detonated over the eastern coastal waters near the North Korean city of Wonsan, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff reported in a statement.

Debris from the missile scattered up to 250 kilometers away, with no damages reported. South Korea noted that the missile, likely solid-fueled, emitted more smoke than usual, suggesting engine issues.

Japan's Defense Ministry also confirmed the missile launch. North Korea has been testing hypersonic missiles since 2021, seemingly aimed at targeting South Korea's missile defense systems.

The test occurred ahead of the regional deployment of a US aircraft carrier for a trilateral military drill with South Korea and Japan. North Korea's Vice Defense Minister, Kim Kang Il, had earlier called the US carrier's deployment "reckless" and "dangerous."

Pyongyang has previously condemned US-South Korean drills and responded with missile tests. Senior officials from South Korea, the United States, and Japan held a phone call to condemn the recent launch, calling it a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and a threat to peace and stability.

"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, or territory, or to our allies, we continue to monitor the situation," the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement, denouncing the launch.

The missile test comes amid deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, highlighted by a recent summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin and the signing of a mutual defense pact.