President Lee Observes in Person: "Hypersonic Missile Test Launch Successful"

[Anchor]

A "hypersonic missile" being developed with domestic technology has succeeded in its first test launch. Cheong Wa Dae announced that President Lee Jae-myung observed the test-fire in person. Although Cheong Wa Dae did not directly mention North Korea, the move is seen as part of military measures responding to the recent landmine explosion on the western front and a series of missile launches by North Korea.

For Thursday's 8 O'Clock News, reporter Kang Min-u has our top story.

[Reporter]

This afternoon (October 8), President Lee Jae-myung visited a test site of the Agency for Defense Development to observe the first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) currently being researched and developed with homegrown technology.

Cheong Wa Dae explained that the HGV uses a booster to ascend to the upper atmosphere before separating to glide at a low altitude and strike its target, boasting an unpredictable flight path and overwhelming speed. It described it as a "core strategic asset capable of changing the battlefield landscape by launching surprise strikes against key strategic targets in an emergency."

Following the successful test-fire, during which the glide vehicle accurately hit its designated target, President Lee encouraged the researchers and called for swift development and deployment, saying, "We must further advance hypersonic glide vehicles so that they can establish themselves as reliable strategic assets safeguarding our national security."

[President Lee Jae-myung (September 29): "We must further accelerate the modernization of missile technology, such as hypersonic missiles, as well as the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, which are key to self-reliant national defense."]

President Lee's observation of the test launch today is also interpreted as a countermeasure to the North Korean landmine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone last month and North Korea's recent series of missile launches.

Earlier, on October 1, the National Security Council (NSC) had also reviewed demonstrations of advanced weapons systems operated by the South Korean military.

President Lee also inspected the military's high-yield Hyunmoo-5 missile today, emphasizing self-reliant defense capabilities.

Cheong Wa Dae did not directly mention North Korea when announcing President Lee's attendance at the test launch, but evaluated that "preparations have been completed to secure new deterrent measures in earnest under the operational environment of the Korean Peninsula."

Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Ha Ryung | Video editing by Lee So-young | Graphics by Cho SOOIN

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