Kim Jong Un claims his new hypersonic missile system can “deter rivals”

SEÙL — North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, stated that the new system of missiles Hypersonics used in a test launch on Monday will serve to deter the country’s “rivals” in the Pacific, the official news agency said.

“The hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any of our rivals in the Pacific region that may affect the security of our state,” Kim, who supervised the launch, said in statements reported by KCNA.

The launch coincided with a visit by the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkento South Korea, a strategic ally of Washington in the area.

According to the North Korean leader, the missile traveled a trajectory of 1,500 kilometers and exceeded 12 times the speed of sound before landing in the water.

“Military power”

“This is clearly a self-defense plan and effort, not an offensive plan and action,” Kim justified.

But at the same time, he noted that the performance of the missile system “cannot be ignored” and can “deal a serious military blow to a rival by effectively breaking through any dense defensive barriers.”

“The development of the DPRK’s defense capabilities with the goal of being a military power will be further accelerated,” Kim added, using the acronym of North Korea’s official name.

Blinken and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, condemned the launch in a joint press conference, in which Washington’s outgoing top diplomat said it demonstrated the importance of deepening a three-way alliance with Japan.