US says N. Korea hasn’t mastered hypersonics, notes ICBM progress

WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. defense official has said there is no evidence of North Korea having mastered hypersonic weapons capabilities as he stressed the recent deployment of a new U.S. air defense system to South Korea aims "specifically" to deter the recalcitrant regime. During an online press briefing Wednesday, the official also pointed out "progress" in the North's quest to secure reentry technology required for a fully operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) while voicing concerns that Russia could help the North secure the technology under a bilateral defense accord. On the likelihood of Pyongyang conducting another nuclear test, he said that "political circumstances" would be a key determinant, noting the regime does not have any specific technical limitations on a new test, which he said could be of a "smaller-design," "smaller-yield" weapon if conducted. The briefing took place after Pyongyang claimed that it successfully tested two hypersonic projectiles Wednesday (Korean time), deepening concerns that the weapons -- known to be capable of maneuvering to avoWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times