North Korea has reported a successful test of a solid-fuel engine for its new intermediate-range hypersonic missile, marking progress in its efforts to develop a more powerful and agile missile capable of striking distant U.S. targets in the region. The hypersonic missile is part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's plan to introduce high-tech weapons systems in 2021 to counter perceived U.S. hostility and potentially gain concessions through diplomacy.
Kim oversaw the ground test of the multi-stage solid-fuel engine at a rocket launch facility, emphasizing the strategic importance of the new missile with an intermediate range. This missile system is seen as crucial for targeting U.S. Pacific territories like Guam and military installations in Japan's Okinawa island.
