The South Korean military is developing a “Korean-style three-axis system” to address North Korean threats. This system includes the “Kill Chain,” designed to preemptively strike North Korea’s nuclear and missile facilities during a crisis; the Korean Air Missile Defense (KAMD) system, intended to intercept North Korean missiles; and the “Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation” (KMPR) system, which involves launching a large number of ballistic missiles in retaliation.
The Hyunmoo ballistic missile, revealed on October 1, 2022, is a critical component of the KMPR system. The Hyunmoo series includes several models, from Hyunmoo-1 to Hyunmoo-5. The Army Strategic Missile Command manages these missiles directly under the Army Headquarters. Although the exact number of Hyunmoo missiles has not been made public, it is reported that the military had secured 1,700 units by the end of 2016 and aims to acquire 2,000 units by the mid-2020s.
The Army Strategic Missile Command is one of the Army’s most classified units. Unlike other units that use official names and logos during military events, this unit is referred to by its general designation, Unit 9715. This designation has reportedly been updated recently.
The Hyunmoo missile series, central to South Korea’s three-axis defense system, is named after a mythical “guardian beast” from East Asian culture, symbolizing protection and strength. Developed to counter North Korea’s military capabilities, the Hyunmoo continues to be a cornerstone of South Korea’s strategic defense.
Hyunmoo: South Korea’s Mythical “Guardian Beast”
The “Baekgom” missile, also known as the “NHK-1,” debuted during a parade on October 1, 2023. This missile marks South Korea’s first domestically produced short-range surface-to-surface missile. Over the years, it has evolved into the Hyunmoo series, now a cornerstone of the Army’s ballistic missile arsenal.
The Baekgom missile originated from reverse-engineering the American “MIM-14 Nike Hercules,” a surface-to-air missile. Development began in the early 1970s, though the U.S. was unaware of this initiative. The first successful test launch occurred in September 1978. Despite this achievement, the Baekgom project was eventually canceled due to political changes following the death of former President Park Chung-hee and the rise of the Chun Doo-hwan regime.
The project resumed in October 1983 after a North Korean terrorist incident prompted the Chun Doo-hwan administration to revive domestic missile development. This effort led to the creation of the Hyunmoo-1, the first model in the Hyunmoo series. The Hyunmoo-1, with a range of 180 kilometers and a 500-kilogram warhead, was deployed in 1987 but was soon replaced by the Hyunmoo-2A.
Hyunmoo-2: Expanded Range and Enhanced Capabilities
The Hyunmoo-2A represents a significant upgrade in South Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities. With a range of 300 kilometers and a 500-kilogram warhead, it has become a critical strategic asset for the South Korean military. This upgrade was made possible by changes to the Korea-U.S. missile guidelines in 2001, which relaxed previous range restrictions. Following these revisions, performance enhancements extended the missile’s range from 100 kilometers to 300 kilometers, and it entered operational service in 2008.
In 2009, South Korea introduced the Hyunmoo-2B, which improved accuracy by building on the Hyunmoo-2A’s design. The Hyunmoo-2 series now includes the Hyunmoo-2A, which has a 300-kilometer entry range, and the Hyunmoo-2B, which extends the range to 500 kilometers. Unlike the Hyunmoo-1, which was transported by trailer, the Hyunmoo-2 is mounted on a launch vehicle for easier deployment.
The Hyunmoo-2’s design resembles Russia’s “Iskander” ballistic missile. While the Iskander can carry two missiles per vehicle, the Hyunmoo-2 carries one. Unlike the Iskander, the Hyunmoo-2 is stored in a missile canister, providing operational concealment and protection.
Hyunmoo-3: South Korea’s Advanced Cruise Missile
The Hyunmoo-3 missile is a significant asset in South Korea’s military arsenal. Its range is 1,500 kilometers, which places it among the few cruise missiles of its range globally. South Korea joins the ranks of the United States, Russia, and Israel as a country possessing such advanced technology.
Unlike the Hyunmoo-2, which is classified as a ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-3 is categorized as a cruise missile. The defense ministry first announced the development of the Hyunmoo-3A, with a 500-kilometer range, to reporters in July 2006. The Hyunmoo-3A reportedly incorporates some Russian technology.
Following continuous improvements, South Korea successfully developed the Hyunmoo-3C in 2010, making it the fourth country—after the U.S., Russia, and Israel—to have a cruise missile with a 1,500-kilometer range.
The Hyunmoo-3 series includes:
- Hyunmoo-3A: 500 km range
- Hyunmoo-3B: 1,000 km range
- Hyunmoo-3C: 1,500 km range
The classified Hyunmoo-3D is believed to have a range of 3,000 km. However, the Hyunmoo-3 is relatively costly, with each missile priced at approximately 4 billion won (about $3 million). This is notably more expensive than the U.S. Tomahawk missile, which costs around $1.5 million (about 2 billion won).
Hyunmoo-4: South Korea’s Enhanced Missile Post-North Korea’s Nuclear Test
The development of the lesser-known Hyunmoo-4 began in September 2017, spurred by North Korea’s sixth nuclear test. Following this test, a phone conversation between the U.S. and South Korean leaders led to the lifting of weight restrictions on South Korea’s missile warheads. Consequently, the warhead weight for the Hyunmoo-4 was increased to 2.5 tons, up from the 1-ton limit of the Hyunmoo-3.
The Hyunmoo-3, known for its high impact, falls at Mach speed upon descent, delivering about three times the destructive power of the Air Force’s air-to-surface missiles, such as the GBU-28 or GBU-57 (often referred to as “bunker busters”). Its capability to penetrate underground targets qualifies it as a strategic weapon. Though it is officially classified as a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, experts suggest its specifications justify its classification as a medium-range ballistic Missile (MRBM).
The Hyunmoo-4 series represents an advanced version of the Hyunmoo-2. It includes:
- Hyunmoo-4-1: A surface-to-surface ballistic missile
- Hyunmoo-4-2: A ship-to-surface missile
- Hyunmoo-4-4: A submarine-launched ballistic missile
Hyunmoo-5: South Korea’s Ultimate Missile Threat
The Hyunmoo-5, the latest and most potent in the Hyunmoo missile series, has earned the nickname “monster” for its formidable capabilities. Although specific details about its performance are classified, it is reported that the Hyunmoo-5 could serve as a quasi-nuclear weapon, making it a critical asset for massive retaliation against North Korea’s nuclear threats. The missile is designed to penetrate deep into North Korean bunkers, reaching targets more than 328 feet underground. Experts believe its destructive power rivals that of a small tactical nuclear weapon. The test launch video showcased during the Armed Forces Day ceremony in October 2022 drew significant attention at home and abroad.
The Hyunmoo-5 features an 8-ton warhead, which is more than triple the weight of the Hyunmoo-4’s warhead. This substantial increase in explosive power places the Hyunmoo-5 among the most significant conventional weapons globally. For comparison, the most potent existing conventional weapons have a maximum explosive yield of around 10 tons. Therefore, detonating multiple Hyunmoo-5 missiles simultaneously could generate an explosion comparable to that of a small nuclear device.
In response, U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies closely monitor North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and military command centers. Should North Korea provoke South Korea, Kim Jong Un’s underground bunker could be a primary target for the Hyunmoo-5.
The missile can ascend to 3,280 feet before descending at speeds over Mach 10. Its kinetic energy can create artificial earthquakes during this supersonic descent, potentially devastating North Korea’s underground facilities. Military experts assess that South Korea has developed a conventional weapon capable of delivering nuclear-like effects without actually employing nuclear arms.
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