South Korea is ready to deploy its 'monster missile' Hyunmoo 5 at the end of the year marking a significant conventional arsenal upgrade against its northern counterpart in the Korean peninsula.
About Hyunmoo-5 Missile
The Hyunmoo-5 is a powerful South Korean ballistic missile developed to deter North Korean aggression with a massive conventional warhead designed to destroy fortified underground bunkers. Dubbed the "monster missile," it is considered a crucial element of South Korea's "Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation" (KMPR) strategy. South Korea plans to deploy the Hyunmoo-5 by the end of 2025. 
Key specifications

• Mass: Approximately 36 tonnes.
• Warhead: It can carry a conventional warhead of up to 8 tonnes.
• Range: The range is variable, from 600 km to over 5,000 km, depending on the payload.
• Speed: During its descent, the missile can reach speeds approaching Mach 10.
• Launch platform: It can be launched from a mobile Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL).
• Destructive power: The heavy, reinforced warhead is designed to penetrate and destroy bunkers located more than 100 meters underground. 

 Context and development

• Inception: The concept for the missile was born after a series of North Korean attacks in 2010.
• Historical restrictions: Development was initially blocked by U.S. restrictions on South Korean missile payloads, aimed at de-escalating tensions. These limits were lifted by the Trump administration in 2017 following North Korean nuclear tests.
• Public unveiling: The missile was officially revealed in October 2024 during South Korea's Armed Forces Day, where a mobile launch platform was displayed.
• Countering North Korea: The Hyunmoo-5 is a non-nuclear weapon designed to provide Seoul with a powerful conventional deterrent against North Korea's nuclear threats and to target its underground facilities.
• Strategic significance: Its deployment marks a major upgrade in South Korea's conventional arsenal and demonstrates a shift toward greater military autonomy.

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