South Korea on Thursday (Oct 8) flight-tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon. This marks a significant step in Seoul’s push to build advanced conventional weapons capable of challenging sophisticated missile defence systems. The weapon, tested in the presence of President Lee Jae Myung, is designed to travel at least five times the speed of sound and manoeuvre during flight, making it harder to detect and intercept.According to a statement from Lee’s office, the weapon separated from its booster at the planned altitude before descending and carrying out both vertical and horizontal manoeuvres. It then struck a designated test target.The military did not disclose where the test was conducted.Once operational, the weapon is expected to give South Korea the ability to launch surprise strikes against key targets across the “Korean Peninsula theater of operations,” according to the statement.<h2>Lee calls for stronger self-reliance</h2>Lee described the test as an important move towards strengthening South Korea’s conventional defence capabilities.South Korea “must secure our security through our own strength,” Lee said, according to his office.He also inspected the country’s most powerful Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile during the visit.The test comes as Seoul faces mounting security concerns over North Korea’s expanding weapons programme and increasingly hostile stance towards the South.<h2>North Korea’s own hypersonic test</h2>Pyongyang conducted its own hypersonic missile test on October 3, saying the intermediate-range weapon travelled more than 1,000 kilometres before landing in waters near Japan.South Korea estimated the missile travelled more than 700 kilometres, while Japan assessed its range at about 680 kilometres.Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s sister, seized on the differing assessments, arguing that the two US allies lacked the ability to properly track or intercept such weapons.Tensions have also risen after three South Korean soldiers were injured by land mines near the inter-Korean border. Seoul and the US-led UN Command blamed North Korea for planting the mines, a charge Pyongyang has rejected.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has meanwhile continued expanding his nuclear weapons programme while rejecting US calls to revive stalled diplomacy.

South Korea has tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon as tensions with North Korea rise following Pyongyang’s latest hypersonic missile test.

South Korea on Thursday (Oct 8) flight-tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon. This marks a significant step in Seoul’s push to build advanced conventional weapons capable of challenging sophisticated missile defence systems. The weapon, tested in the presence of President Lee Jae Myung, is designed to travel at least five times the speed of sound and manoeuvre during flight, making it harder to detect and intercept. According to a statement from Lee’s office, the weapon separated from its booster at the planned altitude before descending and carrying out both vertical and horizontal manoeuvres. It then struck a designated test target. The military did not disclose where the test was conducted. Once operational, the weapon is expected to give South Korea the ability to launch surprise strikes against key targets across the “Korean Peninsula theater of operations,” according to the statement. Lee calls for stronger self-reliance Lee described the test as an important move towards strengthening South Korea’s conventional defence capabilities. South Korea “must secure our security through our own strength,” Lee said, according to his office. He also inspected the country’s most powerful Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile during the visit. The test comes as Seoul faces mounting security concerns over North Korea’s expanding weapons programme and increasingly hostile stance towards the South. North Korea’s own hypersonic test Pyongyang conducted its own hypersonic missile test on October 3, saying the intermediate-range weapon travelled more than 1,000 kilometres before landing in waters near Japan. South Korea estimated the missile travelled more than 700 kilometres, while Japan assessed its range at about 680 kilometres. Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s sister, seized on the differing assessments, arguing that the two US allies lacked the ability to properly track or intercept such weapons. Tensions have also risen after three South Korean soldiers were injured by land mines near the inter-Korean border. Seoul and the US-led UN Command blamed North Korea for planting the mines, a charge Pyongyang has rejected. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has meanwhile continued expanding his nuclear weapons programme while rejecting US calls to revive stalled diplomacy.

South Korea has tested its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon as tensions with North Korea rise following Pyongyang’s latest hypersonic missile test.

South Korea tests first hypersonic weapon amid rising tensions with North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has appealed to US President Donald Trump to help advance dialogue with North Korea and work towards resolving issues surrounding Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, according to Lee’s office. The request came during a brief exchange between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on Tuesday (June 16), where South Korea attended as a guest nation. According to a statement from Lee’s office, the South Korean president asked Trump to “take the lead in the peaceful resolution of the North Korean issue, just as he resolved the Middle East war.”&nbsp;The conversation took place during a group photo session at the summit, highlighting Seoul’s continued interest in reviving diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang amid heightened regional tensions. The appeal follows a social media post by Trump earlier this week in which he shared a photograph of himself walking alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their 2018 summit in Singapore. The image prompted speculation about Washington’s future approach towards North Korea.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-much-looking-forward-to-it-says-us-ambassador-to-india-sergio-gor-on-modi-trump-bilateral-meeting-1781702924674">'Very much looking forward to it,' US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to WION on Modi-Trump bilateral meeting</a>&nbsp;South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said the post appeared to signal Trump’s willingness to refocus attention on North Korea once the conflict involving Iran comes to an end. Chung described the post as a “positive signal”.&nbsp;Trump met Kim three times during his first term in office in an effort to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme. However, those talks ultimately failed to produce a lasting agreement on denuclearisation. Since then, Kim has strengthened ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emerging as a key ally of Moscow in its war against Ukraine. North Korea has also accelerated its military build-up while rejecting efforts by Seoul to improve inter-Korean relations.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-i-don-t-like-it-we-ll-go-back-to-dropping-bombs-on-their-heads-trump-warns-iran-if-peace-deal-fails-1781700063082">‘If I don't like it, we'll go back to dropping bombs on their heads’: Trump warns Iran if peace deal fails</a>

At the G7 Summit, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged US President Donald Trump to lead peaceful diplomatic efforts to resolve North Korea’s nuclear issue, mirroring his recent Middle East peace mediation.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has appealed to US President Donald Trump to help advance dialogue with North Korea and work towards resolving issues surrounding Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, according to Lee’s office. The request came during a brief exchange between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on Tuesday (June 16), where South Korea attended as a guest nation. According to a statement from Lee’s office, the South Korean president asked Trump to “take the lead in the peaceful resolution of the North Korean issue, just as he resolved the Middle East war.” The conversation took place during a group photo session at the summit, highlighting Seoul’s continued interest in reviving diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang amid heightened regional tensions. The appeal follows a social media post by Trump earlier this week in which he shared a photograph of himself walking alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during their 2018 summit in Singapore. The image prompted speculation about Washington’s future approach towards North Korea. Also read: 'Very much looking forward to it,' US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to WION on Modi-Trump bilateral meeting South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said the post appeared to signal Trump’s willingness to refocus attention on North Korea once the conflict involving Iran comes to an end. Chung described the post as a “positive signal”. Trump met Kim three times during his first term in office in an effort to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme. However, those talks ultimately failed to produce a lasting agreement on denuclearisation. Since then, Kim has strengthened ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emerging as a key ally of Moscow in its war against Ukraine. North Korea has also accelerated its military build-up while rejecting efforts by Seoul to improve inter-Korean relations. Also read: ‘If I don't like it, we'll go back to dropping bombs on their heads’: Trump warns Iran if peace deal fails

At the G7 Summit, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged US President Donald Trump to lead peaceful diplomatic efforts to resolve North Korea’s nuclear issue, mirroring his recent Middle East peace mediation.

South Korea wants Trump’s intervention in nuclear issue with North Korea. Details inside

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday (April 19) called on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a State visit to India, and expressed confidence that his upcoming talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further strengthen bilateral ties.&nbsp;In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Honoured to call on President @Jaemyung_Lee of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India. Value his commitment to deepen India - Korea relations across multiple domains. Confident that his talks tomorrow with PM @narendramodi will further strengthen our Special Strategic Partnership.”&nbsp;Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, arrived in India on Sunday, marking the first State visit by a South Korean leader in over eight years.&nbsp;&nbsp;The visit is being seen as a key step towards advancing Seoul’s engagement with the Global South and revitalising the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two nations.&nbsp;India and South Korea elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015, with cooperation expanding across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, defence production, green energy, infrastructure and digital innovation. South Korean companies have strengthened their presence in India’s industrial and consumer sectors, while Indian firms have expanded their footprint in Korea.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Honoured to call on President <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaemyung_Lee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jaemyung_Lee</a> of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India. Value his commitment to deepen India - Korea relations across multiple domains. Confident that his talks tomorrow with PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> will further strengthen our… <a href="https://t.co/xeiSRw2rud">pic.twitter.com/xeiSRw2rud</a>&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2045868209161793909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bilateral trade between India and South Korea currently stands at around $25–30 billion, though it remains skewed in favour of Seoul, with India running a trade deficit. Both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a $50 billion trade target by 2030. In the recent past, attention has shifted towards high-growth sectors such as semiconductors, defence manufacturing and green energy, alongside improving market access and investment flows.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-accuses-iran-of-ceasefire-violation-over-hormuz-firing-renews-threat-to-destroy-bridges-if-no-deal-is-reached-1776604654977">Trump renews threat to destroy bridges if no deal is reached, accuses Iran of ceasefire violation over Hormuz firing</a>&nbsp;President Lee’s schedule includes a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and a visit to Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The highlight of the visit will be a bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, where he will hold extensive talks with PM Modi.&nbsp;The discussions are expected to result in several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), focusing on critical technologies, including semiconductors, green energy and defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative, along with expansion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).&nbsp;Lee will also attend a business forum at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together industry leaders from both countries to explore investment opportunities and strengthen supply chain resilience. The visit will conclude with a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, reflecting the growing depth of India-South Korea relations.

Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, arrived in India on Sunday, marking the first State visit by a South Korean leader in over eight years. 



External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday (April 19) called on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who is on a State visit to India, and expressed confidence that his upcoming talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further strengthen bilateral ties. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Honoured to call on President @Jaemyung_Lee of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India. Value his commitment to deepen India - Korea relations across multiple domains. Confident that his talks tomorrow with PM @narendramodi will further strengthen our Special Strategic Partnership.” Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, arrived in India on Sunday, marking the first State visit by a South Korean leader in over eight years. The visit is being seen as a key step towards advancing Seoul’s engagement with the Global South and revitalising the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two nations. India and South Korea elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015, with cooperation expanding across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, defence production, green energy, infrastructure and digital innovation. South Korean companies have strengthened their presence in India’s industrial and consumer sectors, while Indian firms have expanded their footprint in Korea.

Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, arrived in India on Sunday, marking the first State visit by a South Korean leader in over eight years.&nbsp;

First state visit in 8 years: South Korean President Lee arrives in India, Jaishankar eyes stronger partnership

south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, News on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, stories on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, articles on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stories at Wion, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung news, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung latest news

south korean-president-lee-jae-myung

South Korea tests first hypersonic weapon amid rising tensions with North Korea

South Korea wants Trump’s intervention in nuclear issue with North Korea

South Korean President Lee begins India state visit, Jaishankar eyes deeper ties