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South Korea plans to begin deploying its Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile by the end of this year, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday, as the country seeks to establish a “balance of terror” against North Korea’s expanding nuclear arsenal.
Speaking to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn confirmed that mass production of the Hyunmoo-5 is already underway, with additional measures being taken to ramp up manufacturing capacity.
“As South Korea is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 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,” Ahn said.
The defense minister emphasized that the new missile system would enhance South Korea’s deterrence posture against Pyongyang’s continued missile tests and threats.
Nicknamed the “monster missile” due to its immense size and destructive potential, the Hyunmoo-5 is a ground-to-ground ballistic missile capable of carrying an eight-ton conventional warhead. The weapon is designed to penetrate and destroy underground bunkers and hardened targets.
The missile was first unveiled during the Armed Forces Day ceremony last year, marking a significant milestone in South Korea’s efforts to strengthen its domestic missile capabilities amid growing regional instability.
Ahn’s comments followed North Korea’s public display of its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during a military parade last week — the first time the weapon had been showcased.
Citing recent intelligence, Ahn warned that North Korea may attempt to launch the Hwasong-20 this year. “We have detected movements near a missile launch pad,” he said, pointing to potential preparations for a test.
The escalating missile race between the two Koreas underscores the persistent tension on the peninsula, with both sides advancing their respective military capabilities.
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