South Korea to deploy Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile by year's end

South Korea has announced the planned deployment of its high-yield Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile by the end of the year, a strategic step to counter the nuclear threat from North Korea. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back confirmed that mass production for the formidable weapon system has already commenced.

A "Monster Missile" for Deterrence

In a recent interview, Minister Ahn justified the deployment by highlighting the need for a conventional deterrent. "As South Korea is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that cannot own nuclear arms, I firmly believe we should possess a considerable amount of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror," Ahn stated. The Hyunmoo-5, known for its capacity to carry a massive eight-ton warhead and destroy fortified underground targets, was first publicly revealed during a military event last year.

Regional Tensions and North Korea's Posturing

This development occurs amidst a fresh display of military power from Pyongyang, which recently paraded a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile. Ahn also pointed to intelligence suggesting that North Korea may be preparing for a test launch of its new Hwasong-20 ICBM in the near future, further raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The South's deployment is seen as a direct response to these provocations.

The Pursuit of a Military Balance

The move to rapidly field the Hyunmoo-5 underscores Seoul's commitment to strengthening its independent defense posture. By deploying this ground-to-ground missile, South Korea aims to solidify its own strategic deterrent, aiming to offset the advancing threat from its northern neighbor without violating international non-proliferation treaties.