The Korea Herald reported on 18/1, citing military sources, that the Hyunmoo-5 tactical ballistic missile began deployment in late 2025. It is expected to achieve full combat readiness before President Lee Jae-myung's term concludes in 6/2030.

An official from South Korea's Ministry of National Defense stated that the country is "expediting the integration process for the Hyunmoo-5 system", but did not provide a specific timeline.

The Hyunmoo-5 missile was unveiled in 10/2024 during the anniversary of South Korea's Armed Forces Day. While the South Korean forces did not publicly display the missile itself, its 9-axle transporter erector launcher indicated it was the largest ballistic missile in the nation's history.

The transporter erector launcher for the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile at Seoul Air Base in 10/2024. *Photo: Reuters*

At that time, it had not yet been named Hyunmoo-5, instead being referred to as a "super-powerful ballistic missile". South Korean media also described it as a "monster ballistic missile".

The designation Hyunmoo-5 was first mentioned by South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back in 10/2025, when he announced plans for its mass production.

The Hyunmoo-5 appears to have been developed before 10/2022, when information about it was disclosed in an audit report by the National Defense Committee of South Korea. In that report, the agency stated that the Hyunmoo-5 has a mass of approximately 35 tons, with its warhead weighing over 7,7 tons.

This is why the Hyunmoo-5 stands out, as conventional warheads on non-nuclear ballistic missiles typically do not exceed one ton in mass.

"'Super-powerful warhead' indicates this weapon is designed to reach North Korea's most fortified targets, which are located deep underground. These include bunkers, command centers, and storage facilities", commented Thomas Newdick, a columnist for the US military specialty publication War Zone.

Newdick suggested that the announced warhead mass likely accounts not only for the explosive content but also for a heavy metal casing designed to enhance its bunker-busting capabilities.

Regarding range, the Hyunmoo-5 is believed to be capable of hitting targets at a distance of 600 km, classifying it as a short-range ballistic missile. The large warhead is the reason the missile achieves a relatively short range compared to weapons of similar size. Some experts believe the Hyunmoo-5 could become a long-range ballistic missile, with a range exceeding 3.000 km, if its warhead mass were reduced.

The Hyunmoo-5 missile is a critical component of South Korea's "three-axis" operational plan, designed to deter or respond to the threat of a nuclear attack from North Korea.

Pham Giang (According to War Zone, Korea Herald)