Lee observes South Korea’s first hypersonic glide vehicle test

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung observed the country’s first test launch of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle on October 8, the presidential office said, describing it as a milestone in developing a new strike capability. The office said the vehicle separated from its booster, descended to a lower altitude, maneuvered horizontally and vertically, and hit its designated test target. The test was intended to assess technologies including guidance and control, heat-resistant materials and flight at hypersonic speeds. The reports did not provide independent test data or measurements of the vehicle’s speed, flight path or accuracy. Lee attended the launch with senior defense officials. Afterward, he said South Korea should protect its security through its own capabilities and support the development and deployment of advanced weapons. The presidential office said the vehicle remains under development; the reported test does not establish that it is operational. The test took place amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas. North Korea announced a test of its own hypersonic missile days earlier.