South Korea's military has begun deploying the high-power Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile to counter North Korea's nuclear threat. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has urged a 'balance of terror' through mass production of these weapons. The missile, designed to strike underground bunkers, was first publicly displayed in 2023.
South Korea's military started deploying the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile late last year, with completion expected during President Lee Jae Myung's term, which ends in June 2030. Dubbed a 'monster' due to its size, this surface-to-surface missile targets underground bunkers and forms a core part of the country's deterrence against major North Korean attacks. As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, South Korea cannot possess nuclear weapons, so it is bolstering conventional strike capabilities to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
In an October 2025 interview with Yonhap News Agency, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated, "Since South Korea cannot own nuclear arms... I firmly believe we should possess a considerable number of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror." He noted that mass production has begun and efforts are underway to significantly boost output. The military aims to deploy hundreds of advanced missiles, including the Hyunmoo-5 and its upgraded variants under development.
First showcased at the 2023 Armed Forces Day ceremony, the Hyunmoo-5's details remain largely classified owing to its strategic importance. This deployment underscores South Korea's push for enhanced conventional arms in response to escalating threats from the North.
