South Korea Accelerates Deployment of Hyunmoo‑5 ‘Monster’ Missile to Counter North Korean Threat
Updated (2 articles)
Deployment began late last year, slated for completion by 2030 The armed forces started fielding the Hyunmoo‑5 ballistic missile in late 2025, with the rollout scheduled to finish before President Lee Jae Myung’s term ends in June 2030 [1][2]. The program is integrated into Seoul’s three‑axis defense‑and‑deterrence framework, linking conventional strike capability with air and missile defense [1]. Both outlets note that the deployment timeline aligns with broader military modernization plans.
Missile measures 65 feet and carries an 8‑ton conventional warhead The Hyunmoo‑5 stretches roughly 65 feet in length and is equipped with an eight‑ton conventional payload designed to destroy hardened underground facilities [1][2]. It is classified as a high‑power surface‑to‑surface system capable of striking deep‑buried bunkers [2]. The weapon’s size and payload have earned it the “monster” nickname in Korean defense circles.
Strategic goal is conventional deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear arsenal Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back emphasized that the missile provides a “balance of terror” to offset Pyongyang’s nuclear threat while keeping South Korea compliant with the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty [2]. Officials stress that the system is purely conventional, avoiding any violation of the NPT [1]. The deployment is presented as a direct response to North Korea’s expanding missile and nuclear capabilities.
Production aims for hundreds of units and upgraded variants Mass production of the Hyunmoo‑5 has commenced, with plans to field up to several hundred missiles across the peninsula [2]. Development of upgraded versions is underway, expanding the strike envelope and survivability [1]. The scale of the rollout reflects Seoul’s intent to sustain a credible conventional strike posture over the next decade.
Analysts warn the missile could reshape regional security calculations Regional security experts note that the introduction of a large‑caliber conventional missile may alter deterrence dynamics in East Asia [1]. While South Korea maintains that the program stays within NPT constraints, neighboring states are monitoring the potential impact on the balance of power [1]. The deployment underscores a shift toward more robust conventional capabilities in response to persistent threats.
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Newsweek: South Korea deploys 'monster' missile amid North Korea threat: Highlights the Hyunmoo‑5’s dimensions, warhead weight, and the plan to deploy hundreds while stressing compliance with the NPT and regional security implications .
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[2]
Yonhap: South Korea begins deployment of Hyunmoo-5 monster missile to deter North Korea: Focuses on the start of deployment, Defense Minister Ahn’s “balance of terror” rhetoric, mass‑production efforts, and the missile’s bunker‑busting role .
Timeline
Oct 2023 – South Korea publicly displays the Hyunmoo‑5 “monster” missile at the Armed Forces Day ceremony, showcasing its 65‑foot length and underground‑bunker strike capability, though many technical details remain classified[2].
Late 2025 – The South Korean military begins fielding the Hyunmoo‑5 ballistic missile, initiating a rollout that will eventually include hundreds of advanced variants to strengthen conventional deterrence against North Korea[2].
Jan 18, 2026 – Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑back urges a “balance of terror” by rapidly expanding the Hyunmoo‑5 arsenal, announces mass‑production has started, and calls for a substantial buildup to counter Pyongyang’s nuclear threat while staying within the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty framework[2].
Jan 19, 2026 – South Korea deploys the Hyunmoo‑5 missile equipped with an 8‑ton conventional warhead, integrating it into a three‑axis defense‑and‑deterrence system designed to destroy underground missile sites and leadership bunkers[1].
Jan 2026 – Analysts warn that fielding up to hundreds of Hyunmoo‑5 missiles could reshape regional security dynamics, altering deterrence calculations and prompting broader strategic shifts in East Asia[1].
2025‑2030 – The deployment program targets completion by the end of President Lee Jae Myung’s administration in June 2030, with plans to field hundreds of Hyunmoo‑5 variants as the core of Seoul’s conventional strike capability[1][2].