N. KOREA’S HYPERSONIC TEST: North Korea’s state media claims this week’s ballistic missile test was a successful demonstration of its growing capability to deploy hypersonic weapons, as Kim Jong Un continues to build his nuclear and long-range missile capabilities. Wednesday’s test is the second time North Korea has claimed to have tested hypersonic weapons, which are capable of flying at speeds in excess of Mach 5 and rapidly changing course. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will consult with their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Affairs Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo. “Secretary Blinken condemned the DPRK’s ballistic missile launch and stressed U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan remains ironclad,” said a State Department statement. Policy on Afghanistan,” with secret testimony from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin CLOSED, no webcast.

Source: Washington Post January 06, 2022 12:16 UTC