South Korea deploys “monster” Hyunmoo-5 missile to frontline units

(MENAFN) South Korea has begun positioning its high-capacity Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile with frontline units, according to military sources cited by reports from Seoul on Sunday.

The surface-to-surface system, capable of carrying a warhead of up to 8 tons, is intended to destroy underground facilities and forms a key part of South Korea’s strategy to deter, and if necessary, retaliate against a major attack from the North.

In October 2025, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized the need for a “balance of terror” in response to North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. He noted that mass production of the Hyunmoo-5 has already begun, with plans underway to significantly expand output.

"Since South Korea cannot own nuclear arms as it is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, I firmly believe we should possess a considerable number of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror," Ahn stated in an interview.

The missile was first publicly displayed during South Korea’s Armed Forces Day ceremony in 2023, though many details remain classified because of its strategic significance.

Military authorities plan to deploy hundreds of advanced missiles, including the Hyunmoo-5 and upgraded variants currently under development. Deployment began in late 2024 and is scheduled to continue throughout President Lee Jae Myung’s term, which runs until June 2030.

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