President Lee Jae-myung gave a boost to strengthening national defense today (October 8) by personally observing the test-launch of a hypersonic missile, which he had cited as a "core key" to self-reliant national defense.

Amid criticism that the government's response following the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) landmine explosion has been overly lukewarm, the move is seen as an attempt by President Lee to dispel concerns by personally highlighting the development of cutting-edge weapons.

According to Cheong Wa Dae, immediately after concluding the state luncheon with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on this day, President Lee traveled to the site of the Agency for Defense Development's test-launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV).

After receiving a report on the successful test-launch, President Lee emphasized, "We will support the development and operational deployment of cutting-edge weapons so that the public will have no worries," adding, "Our security must be secured through our own strength."

An HGV is a missile that accelerates and ascends into the upper atmosphere using a booster, separates from the propulsion system, and then glides at low altitudes.

Thanks to its unpredictable flight trajectory and superior speed, it is regarded as a core strategic asset capable of penetrating enemy air defense networks.

Compared to conventional ballistic missiles, its development is technically demanding, and successfully developing it provides an effective deterrent against adversaries, making it one of the major goals in modernizing defense capabilities.

At a cabinet meeting on September 29, President Lee also referred to hypersonic missiles as a "core key to self-reliant defense" on par with nuclear-powered submarines, urging officials to accelerate technological development.

Going a step further, President Lee personally inspected the test-launch site on this day, and Cheong Wa Dae unexpectedly disclosed the success through a briefing by its chief spokesperson.

In political circles, some analyze that this move took into account the current political landscape, where questions have been raised primarily by the opposition regarding the government's defense readiness and security posture following the DMZ landmine explosion.

It is interpreted as a security message emphasizing that there is no problem with the military's defense posture and capabilities—and that they have actually been significantly upgraded—by disclosing the development of a new weapon system capable of striking critical facilities in an emergency.

Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung stated in the briefing, "After separating, the glide vehicle descended to a low altitude, completed an irregular gliding flight freely altering its trajectory vertically and horizontally, and accurately struck the designated target."

(Photo: Yonhap News)