South Korea unveils 'monster' missile amid rising North Korea threats
On Tuesday, South Korea publicly showcased its most powerful weapon, the Hyunmoo-5 missile, to mark Armed Forces Day for the first time ever. The exhibition, held at a military airfield in Seongnam, south of Seoul, was intended to signal readiness to respond to North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.
The main attraction of the ceremony was two mobile launchers carrying Hyunmoo-5 missiles – a key element of South Korea's defence plan in the event of a massive attack from the North, governed by dictator Kim Jong Un.
Hyunmoo-5, dubbed the "monster" due to its size, has been surrounded by mystery because of its strategic significance. This missile is capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 8,000 kilograms and can destroy well-hidden underground bunkers.
The Hyunmoo missile series, developed by South Korea, includes ballistic and cruise missiles. Last year, during Armed Forces Day celebrations, the previous version—the Hyunmoo-4—was showcased. This model can deliver a payload weighing about 2,000 kilograms, significantly less destructive power than the latest model.
Arms escalation and US support
During this year's ceremony, nine-axle transport launchers slowly moved down the runway, carrying containers about 20 metres long, which likely housed these powerful and precise missiles. These missiles are capable of reaching any place in North Korea, providing an additional deterrent factor.
Another strong point of the show was the demonstration of American support. Over the air base, a B-1B strategic bomber flew by, escorted by two South Korean F-15K fighters. This symbolic gesture confirmed the US commitment to ensuring South Korea's security, responding to North Korea's earlier warnings of "appropriate measures" against the US strategic assets deployed in the region.
About 5,000 soldiers and hundreds of military equipment units participated in the ceremony, gathered for the 76th anniversary of the country's armed forces. Special forces also demonstrated their skills during the show by conducting an airdrop from a transport aircraft. During this time, the sky saw manoeuvres of Apache attack helicopters, which were accompanied by flare shots, while the classic composition "Ride of the Valkyries" by Richard Wagner played in the background.
The show also featured modern aviation equipment, including the underdeveloped KF-21 and F-35A stealth fighters. The aerial manoeuvres were capped off with an impressive display by the Black Eagles aerobatic team, performing a series of complex figures in the sky.
Increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula
This year's celebrations took place against escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which have risen recently. North Korea, preparing for the upcoming elections in the United States, revealed its uranium enrichment facilities, conducted further ballistic missile tests, and sent balloons with waste towards the southern border.
The South Korean Ministry of Defence emphasised that this year's ceremony was organized to showcase the armed forces' "overwhelming" capabilities in response to potential enemy provocations. It also highlighted the key role of the three-part deterrence system, which includes the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan for massive retaliatory actions, the Kill Chain platform for pre-emptive strikes, and the Korea Air and Missile Defence (KAMD) system.
Modern technologies and military parade
This year's parade also featured modern means requiring cooperation between manned and unmanned systems, such as four-legged robots and unmanned underwater and surface units.
The celebrations concluded with a military parade held in downtown Seoul, continuing the tradition from the previous year when soldiers marched through the capital's streets for the first time in a long time.
