South Korea test-flies its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon

The test follows North Korea's recent hypersonic missile test. Tensions between the Koreas have increased after land mine explosions injured three South Korean soldiers near the border. North Korea denies responsibility.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/7522x4888+0+0/resize/7522x4888!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa7%2F01%2Fede33afb49f386861f086106c6fb%2Fap26274135799653.jpg' alt='South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during the Armed Forces Day at a military base in Gyeyong, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.'/><p>The test follows North Korea's recent hypersonic missile test. Tensions between the Koreas have increased after land mine explosions injured three South Korean soldiers near the border. North Korea denies responsibility.</p><p>(Image credit: Jeon Heon-kyun)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-147113' />