South Korea to Unveil Hyunmoo-5 Ballistic Missile at Armed Forces Day: A Strategic Shift in National Defense.

On September 30, 2024, just ahead of the 76th anniversary of the South Korean Armed Forces, the country publicly showcased its latest ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5. This new long-range missile, part of a broader display of high-capacity ballistic systems at Seoul Airport, represents a significant development in South Korea's military arsenal, particularly in response to the increasing security threats from North Korea.
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In early 2024, South Korea successfully tested another strategic missile, the Hyunmoo-V, which carries warheads weighing up to 9 tons and is intended to neutralize underground facilities (Picture source: South Korean MoD)

The Hyunmoo-5 incorporates an advanced cold-launch system, a notable technical evolution in South Korea’s missile technology. This cold-launch technique uses compressed gas to propel the missile from its launcher before ignition, minimizing damage to the launcher and increasing operational stability.

On display alongside other systems such as the Hyunmoo-4A, Hyunmoo-4B, Hyunmoo-3, and the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM), the Hyunmoo-5 stood out for its vertical cylindrical launch tube. Analysts have drawn parallels between the Hyunmoo-5 and China's Dongfeng-31 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with the former estimated to have a range of 5,000 km, capable of targeting critical infrastructure in North Korea and beyond. Equipped with an 8-ton warhead, the Hyunmoo-5 is specifically designed to penetrate reinforced underground bunkers, an essential capability for striking deeply buried command centers.

The missile is central to South Korea's Kill Chain, Missile Defense, and Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy, developed to swiftly neutralize North Korean threats, particularly in the event of a nuclear attack. Its development began after North Korea's fourth nuclear test in 2016, and it aims to strike critical North Korean infrastructure in case of an emergency, enhancing South Korea’s deterrence in the region.

In early 2024, South Korea successfully tested another strategic missile, the Hyunmoo-V, which carries warheads weighing up to 9 tons and is intended to neutralize underground facilities. The Hyunmoo-V is equipped with advanced re-entry capabilities, such as Maneuverable Re-entry Vehicle (MaRV) and Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) systems, allowing it to strike multiple or fortified targets. Its nickname, the "monster missile," reflects its destructive capacity, comparable to that of nuclear weapons.

The Hyunmoo-V, along with the other missiles in South Korea's arsenal, forms the backbone of its KMPR strategy, designed to destroy enemy command centers. The missile follows a lofted trajectory, enhancing its ability to evade defense systems, and can reach speeds up to 10 times the speed of sound. Tests of the Hyunmoo-V took place in December 2023, further demonstrating South Korea's commitment to reinforcing its defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions.