The test involved a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle from South Korea. Available sources describe it as the first test of its kind conducted by the country.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung observed the test, according to sources that followed the event.
The Korea Herald reported, citing Cheong Wa Dae, that Lee watched the test. The same outlet said the test location had not been disclosed.
According to The Korea Herald, Seoul described the launch as a significant achievement toward developing a capability able to strike key targets on the Korean Peninsula.
The South China Morning Post described the weapon as designed to travel at least five times the speed of sound and evade missile-defense systems.
The South Korean test followed a recent test of a North Korean hypersonic missile, according to consistent accounts by NPR, The Japan Times and the South China Morning Post.
Available information does not clarify whether the weapon has already entered operational service and does not provide detailed performance results beyond the project’s stated characteristics.