South Korea Plans Deployment of Powerful Hyunmoo-5 Missile

A South Korean defense official has announced plans for the deployment of the Hyunmoo-5 missile, described as a “monster” due to its size, aimed at establishing a “balance of terror” in response to North Korea’s military threats. This missile, which carries an 8-ton conventional warhead, is specifically designed to target and destroy underground facilities in North Korea believed to house nuclear weapons and missile systems.

The unveiling of South Korea’s missile strategy comes shortly after North Korea showcased its Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), purportedly capable of striking the continental United States. This escalating arms race has prompted South Korea, under the protection of U.S. extended nuclear deterrence, to adopt a military strategy known as the three-axis system. This system is intended to defend against nuclear and missile threats while enabling preemptive and retaliatory strikes against North Korean targets.

According to South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, the Hyunmoo-5 missile has entered mass production, with the objective of significantly increasing output for deployment by the end of the year. The minister emphasized that a substantial stockpile of these missiles is necessary to maintain the country’s security position, particularly in light of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and North Korea’s ongoing nuclear development.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, established in 1968, recognizes five nuclear-armed states: the United States, the then-Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and China. Notably, North Korea withdrew from the treaty in 2003 and is estimated to possess around 50 nuclear warheads.

Minister Ahn also indicated the need for an upgraded version of the Hyunmoo-5 missile, which would feature an extended range and enhanced warhead capabilities. Current reports suggest that the missile can reach distances between 186 and 3,106 miles, depending on the weight of the warhead. Following the lifting of restrictions by the United States, South Korea is now authorized to develop and maintain any type of ballistic missile.

Under the three-axis system, the Hyunmoo-5 is intended for use in preemptive strikes against North Korea, as well as for retaliatory attacks targeting North Korean leadership. The system also includes components for air and missile defense.

With regard to North Korea’s missile capabilities, Ahn noted that there are indications of activity near the launch site, suggesting the potential for a launch of the Hwasong-20 ICBM by the end of the year. North Korea’s last test of a similar missile occurred in October 2023. While it is believed that North Korean ICBMs could reach the U.S. mainland, Ahn pointed out that Pyongyang lacks vital technologies needed for re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere and for deploying multiple nuclear warheads.

In a statement to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Ahn reiterated, “As South Korea is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that cannot own nuclear arms, I firmly believe we should possess a considerable amount of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror.”

Expert analysis from Joseph Dempsey of the International Institute for Strategic Studies highlights the strategic rationale for the Hyunmoo-5’s warhead size, which is designed to penetrate North Korea’s fortified sites. Dempsey mentioned that the missile’s 8-ton warhead may include advanced features such as a dense metal penetrator to enhance its effectiveness against hardened targets.

As the missile race on the Korean Peninsula intensifies, the future of military capabilities in the region remains uncertain. The extent to which South Korea will bolster its defenses and countermeasures against North Korea’s growing arsenal will likely shape the geopolitical landscape in the coming months.