South Korea tests its first domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle

South Korea has conducted the first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle developed with its own technology.

President Lee Jae Myung watched the test, which officials said was successful.

The vehicle separated from its booster, descended to a lower altitude, changed direction and hit a test target.

Hypersonic weapons are designed to travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre during flight, making them harder to track and intercept.

Seoul says the system could eventually strike important targets on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen its defence.

The test came amid heightened tensions with North Korea, which recently tested its own hypersonic missile.

South Korea says more development is needed, and Lee has urged researchers to move quickly towards deployment.