SEOUL: North Korean has test-fired what appeared to be a hypersonic missile, but the launch ended in a mid-air blat, an official from South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The launch came just hours following North Korea sent another flurry of trash-bearing balloons southward, this time forcing a three-hour stop to flights in and out of Incheon airport in South Korea.
The missile took off from an area in or around Pyongyang at around 2030 GMT and US and South Korean intelligence agencies were conducting a detailed analysis, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff official stated the test of what appeared to be a hypersonic missile ended in failure following a journey of about 250 km.
More smoke than usual seemed to emanate from the missile, raising the possibility of burning issues, the official added, saying it may have been powered by solid propellants.
Japan confirmed the launch of the missile, with its coast guard adding the missile splashed down in the Sea of Japan. In a statement on website, it said that ships please be careful regarding information to come and refrain from approaching if fallen objects are spotted, and report related information to the coast guard.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Yoon also visited a US aircraft carrier that arrived in South Korea at the weekend for joint military exercise aimed at countering North Korea’s threats. North Korea has routinely criticized such military exercises as rehearsals for an invasion. Pyongyang’s last missile launch before Wednesday’s failed test came on May 30, when South Korea accused North Korea of firing a volley of around 10 short-range ballistic missiles.
