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The Korean Central News Agency said on Wednesday that the country had successfully tested a “multi-stage solid-fuel engine”, a key component of a hypersonic weapon.
The news outlet said that “a timetable for completing the development of the new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile weapon system was set”.
When complete, the North Korean missile could have the range to hit Guam, a US territory that is home to three military bases.
The Pentagon spent $4.7 billion (£3.68 billion) on hypersonic missile development last year, but has been criticised by Congress for the slow progress of the programme and plans to build hypersonic defences.
The US government expects the defences will be available from the early 2030s, but lawmakers have demanded they be operational by 2029 because of threats from Russia and China.
The UK does not have a hypersonic missile system, but has announced a plan to develop “future hypersonic concepts and technologies … as soon as reasonably possible”.
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