North Korea Successfully Test-Fires New Ballistic Missile (Updated).

North Korea successfully conducted a test of a medium-range hypersonic missile. The country's leader Kim Jong Un was present during the launch. According to reports from Reuters, the missile was launched from the outskirts of Pyongyang and traveled about 1500 km at a speed that is 12 times faster than sound. After reaching an altitude of nearly 100 km, the missile descended to a level of 42.5 km and performed a maneuver for precise landing near the eastern coast of North Korea.

However, South Korean military officials doubt the accuracy of reports from the KCNA agency. They believe that the missile's flight range is about 1100 km and that there was no 'second peak' recorded. A joint analysis with the USA is expected to clarify more detailed information.

The KCNA agency reported that new composite materials based on carbon fiber were used in the design of the missile engine. According to Reuters, this material is lighter and stronger compared to traditional aerospace alloys like aluminum, but its production is more complex.

In January, North Korea likely launched a hypersonic missile into the Sea of Japan, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean armed forces (JCS). According to the Yonhap agency, the missile flew about 1,100 km before falling into the sea. Although this flight range is shorter than that of conventional medium-range ballistic missiles (which fly between 3 and 5.5 thousand km), it is believed that this missile has a hypersonic warhead, according to agency information.

Earlier it became known that North Korea launched its first ballistic missile of the year. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean Armed Forces (JCS) reported the launch of a medium-range missile around 12:00 (05:00 Kyiv time) from Pyongyang.