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North Korea is likely to develop hypersonic and independently targetable re-entry vehicles within the next year, according to comments made by US military leadership in Korea.
The information was discussed during a Senate Armed Services Committee posture hearing in Washington this week.
US Forces Korea commander Army General Xavier T. Brunson, speaking at the hearing, confirmed that North Korea is continuing to develop its weapons program while growing more isolated.
“In the coming year, we expect (North Korea) to further develop hypersonic and multiple, independently targetable re-entry vehicle capabilities to complete (their government’s) goals,” he said.
North Korea has launched more than 47 ballistic missiles while focusing on advancing its cruise missile and hypersonic glide vehicle research and development programs, according to General Brunson.
In addition, it’s speculated that already developed weapons and military personnel are being exported from North Korea to Russia to solidify North Korea’s new goal of declaring a position of sovereignty (instead of reunification).
“This change is evidenced by the hardening of (North Korea’s) southern border, the rejection of reunification discussions, and the destruction of unification monuments and buildings,” General Brunson said.
“I would fully answer that by looking at the forces sent to Ukraine ... (North Korea’s troops are) absolutely, dyed-in-the-wool ideologues who are tied to and believe in that regime that exists there.
“(What US Forces Korea provides) is the potential to impose cost in the East Sea to Russia, the potential to impose cost in the West Sea to China, and to continue to deter against North Korea as it currently stands.”
