North Korea’s Latest Rocket: A New Hypersonic Beast
In a move that made headlines and sparked international eye‑rolls, North Korea launched a brand‑new hypersonic missile from its eastern coast on Tuesday, September 28. The state media outlet KCNA spilled the beans on Wednesday, calling the tech‑savvy weapon a “strategic weapon” and a sign that Pyongyang’s defense game is on another level.
What Went Happening?
- Pyongyang fired the missile over the sea, right where South Korea’s military casually mentioned it. The launch came without a single glance from Kim Jong‑un, who apparently was too busy relaxing to inspect the fireworks.
- During its maiden flight, the missile proved it could navigate, stay stable, and glide like a sharp‑flying eagle. Scientists from the country’s defense wing praised the maneuverability and the “gliding flight characteristics of the detached hypersonic warhead.”
- The new model, dubbed Hwasong‑8, uses liquid propellant engines—a throwback to the style North Korea first tested with that tech back in November 2017. A Carnegie Endowment fellow, Ankit Panda, noted it’s the first time these engines hit the ground in recent years.
Why It Matters
North Korea’s steady missile build‑up isn’t just a tech show; it’s a direct ice‑breaker in the stalled talks about dismantling its nuclear weapons. On the sidelines, the U.S. and South Korea are fretting over “double standards” in weapons programs, while the Korean peninsula still hovers over the quiet end of the 1950‑53 war.
Kim Jong‑un’s bunker told the world they’re open to another summit if both sides can “mutual respect” with no hard edge. But hope is slippery, just like the missile that launched in the air.
Other Side Actions
On September 15, both North and South Korea fired ballistic missiles, hinting at a punishing arms race that’s been mired in beyond‑sorted silence. Meanwhile, the North’s supreme people’s assembly had a brief meeting—talking modestly about economic policy and youth education—but the real focus remains on bigger, darker frameworks.
Staying Safe Amidst Chaos
Happy note: No confirmed Covid‑19 cases in North Korea, even though the country has closed borders, banned most international travel, and implemented tight restrictions inside. The pandemic’s a front‑line chess game, and they’re moving fast.
Taglines for quick reference
- North Korea launches hypersonic missile, posts boast on KCNA
- Hwasong‑8 shows off glide, stability, and more
- Diplomacy stalls, but talks still simmer somewhere
- South Korea’s President calls for a formal Korean War cease‑fire
- Supreme People’s assembly meets, keeps quiet with seriousness
- No COVID cases, but borders tight
