{"id":26688,"date":"2025-01-07T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T22:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=26688"},"modified":"2025-01-09T07:44:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T05:44:46","slug":"north-korea-conducts-hypersonic-missile-test-as-us-secretary-of-state-visits-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/north-korea-conducts-hypersonic-missile-test-as-us-secretary-of-state-visits-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"North Korea conducts hypersonic missile test as US secretary of state visits South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

4 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Korea launched a ballistic missile on January 6, 2025, flying approximately 1,100 kilometers before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The missile test coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken\u2019s visit to South Korea for high-level talks addressing North Korea\u2019s nuclear ambitions and other security issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was not immediately clear what type of missile was fired but North Korea’s ICBM tests last year featured a new solid-fuel design and carried what Pyongyang said was a hypersonic glide vehicle, a warhead designed to be able to maneuver and evade missile defenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missile was fired near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. U.S. and South Korean forces had detected launch preparations in advance. The military is now enhancing its surveillance and defense systems, anticipating further provocations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan\u2019s Defense Ministry confirmed the missile landed outside its exclusive economic zone, with no damage reported to ships or aircraft. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed alarm at North Korea\u2019s growing missile capabilities, particularly following last year\u2019s tests of advanced nuclear-capable systems. \u201cNorth Korea\u2019s accelerated pace in missile tests is aimed at improving its threat level,\u201d Ishiba said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the launch, calling it a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, and expressed concern about North Korea\u2019s deepening ties with Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"U.S.<\/a>
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul, South Korea, on January 6, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/@SecBlinken)<\/sup><\/em>

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Blinken in South Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the increasing two-way military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly in the context of Moscow\u2019s war in Ukraine. According to assessments from the U.S., Ukraine, and South Korea, North Korea has provided more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons to Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a dangerous two-way street,\u201d Blinken said. \u201cRussia supplies military equipment and training to North Korea and intends to share space and satellite technology.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Korea\u2019s political stability has been shaken following President Yoon Suk Yeol\u2019s controversial martial law decree last month, which was swiftly overturned by parliament. Yoon\u2019s impeachment has left South Korea\u2019s government in flux, complicating its ability to respond to escalating regional tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Blinken addressed concerns about the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, emphasizing the resilience of South Korea\u2019s democratic institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my meeting with Republic of Korea Acting President Choi Sang-mok, I reiterated U.S. confidence in the enduring strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance. Our alliance is the linchpin of peace and security in the Indo Pacific and our support for the ROK and its people is enduring. pic.twitter.com\/3zhu4AEtDy<\/a><\/p>— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 6, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>