North Korea's hypersonic missile explosion sparks tensions with US and allies

North Korea's suspected hypersonic missile exploded mid-flight on Wednesday, according to South Korea’s military.
The explosion coincides with North Korea's objection to the US aircraft carrier's presence for joint drills with South Korea and Japan. The missile, launched around 5:30 am. from North Korea's capital region towards its eastern waters, malfunctioned over Wonsan on the eastern coast.Fragments scattered up to 250 kilometers away, with no immediate reports of damage.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff suspected the missile was a solid-fueled hypersonic weapon, part of North Korea's efforts to enhance its missile capabilities. The launch, characterized by unusual smoke emissions possibly due to an engine fault, underlines North Korea's ongoing weapons development amidst regional tensions.
The US Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch, affirming steadfast defense commitments to South Korea and Japan. In response, senior diplomats from South Korea, the US, and Japan denounced the launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and a threat to international peace, agreeing to maintain close coordination.
Since 2021, North Korea has conducted multiple hypersonic missile tests aimed at overcoming regional missile defenses, although questions remain about the effectiveness of these systems. The incident occurred amid escalating psychological operations between North and South Korea, including balloon and loudspeaker campaigns, adding to the geopolitical landscape's complexity.
(With inputs from AP)