South Korea Begins Deployment of 'Monster Missile' Hyunmoo-5 to Frontline Units

South Korea Bolsters Deterrence with Hyunmoo-5 Deployment

South Korea has initiated the deployment of its formidable Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile to frontline operational units, marking a significant enhancement of its conventional deterrence capabilities against North Korean threats. Military sources indicate that the deployment began in late 2025, with full operational fielding anticipated by June 2030, under the administration of President Lee Jae Myung.

The Hyunmoo-5, often referred to as the 'monster missile' due to its immense size and destructive potential, is a conventional surface-to-surface weapon specifically engineered to neutralize deeply buried bunkers and hardened command facilities believed to be utilized by North Korea's leadership. This missile is a crucial component of South Korea's 'three-axis' deterrence system, particularly integral to the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) doctrine, which envisions overwhelming conventional strikes in response to a nuclear attack.

Advanced Capabilities of the Hyunmoo-5

The Hyunmoo-5 stands out for its impressive specifications and capabilities:

• It can carry a conventional warhead weighing up to 8 tons, with some reports suggesting up to 9 tons, making it the heaviest payload ever fielded on a South Korean missile system.
• Its destructive power is considered comparable to that of a tactical nuclear weapon.
• The missile weighs approximately 36 tonnes and measures around 16 meters in length.
• While its range with an 8-ton warhead is estimated between 600-800 km (or a minimum of 300 km), reducing the payload could extend its reach significantly, potentially achieving intermediate-range performance of up to 3,000 km or even 5,000-5,500 km.
• It is designed to penetrate targets deeper than 100 meters below the surface.
• The missile utilizes an advanced cold-launch system.

Strategic Context and Official Statements

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back officially confirmed the Hyunmoo-5's designation and the commencement of its mass production in October 2025. Minister Ahn has consistently emphasized the necessity of expanding the Hyunmoo-5 arsenal to establish a 'balance of terror' against North Korea's nuclear capabilities. As South Korea is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it cannot develop nuclear weapons, making advanced conventional strike capabilities like the Hyunmoo-5 crucial for its deterrence posture.

The development of the Hyunmoo-5 began around 2010 following a series of North Korean attacks. Restrictions on South Korean missile payloads, previously imposed by the United States, were progressively eased and ultimately scrapped in 2021, paving the way for the development of such powerful systems. The missile was first publicly showcased during Armed Forces Day celebrations in 2024, though many of its technical specifications remain classified due to its strategic importance. Developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and manufactured by Hanwha and LIG Nex1, with Hanwha Aerospace leading its development, the company aims to produce up to 70 units annually, with a goal of fielding approximately 200 operational missiles.