Solid-Fuel IRBM Test: North Korea's Latest Move Sparks Security Concerns in the Region

North Korea declared a successful test of a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a hypersonic warhead, intensifying concerns about regional stability. The secretive regime's latest launch, the first since December, showcased advancements in multi-stage high-thrust solid-fuel engines. While North Korea assured it posed no threat to neighboring countries, South Korea's military detected the missile's flight over 1,000 kilometers before splashing into the sea.

In a statement, the Missile General Bureau described the test as part of routine activities for developing potent weapon systems. The move comes after South Korea's Defence Minister Shin Won-sik hinted at a potential IRBM test this month, raising worries about the missile's capability to target US military bases in Japan and Guam.