South Korea’s military has begun deploying its high-power Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile, according to military sources, as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized the need for a “balance of terror” to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
The surface-to-surface missile, nicknamed the “monster” due to its size, is designed to strike fortified underground bunkers and is a central component of South Korea’s strategy to respond to potential major attacks from the North.
Speaking in an October interview with Yonhap News Agency, Ahn said:
“Since South Korea cannot own nuclear arms as it is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, I firmly believe we should possess a considerable number of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror.”
‼️🇰🇷 South Korea has deployed its new long-range strategic missile, the Hyunmoo-5, often called the "Missile Monster."
— Defense Intelligence (@DI313_) January 19, 2026
This move significantly boosts Seoul's strike capabilities and marks a major step in strengthening regional deterrence. pic.twitter.com/4Vk8numuRA
The Defense Minister noted that mass production of the missiles has begun, and additional measures are being explored to significantly increase output.
South Korea first publicly displayed the Hyunmoo-5 at its Armed Forces Day ceremony in 2023, but most technical details have remained classified due to the missile’s strategic sensitivity. The military plans to field hundreds of advanced missiles, including the Hyunmoo-5 and upgraded variants currently under development.
The deployment initiative started late last year and is expected to be completed during President Lee Jae Myung’s administration, which runs until June 2030.
South Korea, a key United States treaty ally that hosts 28,500 American troops on the Korean Peninsula, has developed a military strategy known as the three-axis system, designed to defend against North Korea’s nuclear and missile attacks and to conduct preemptive and retaliatory strikes against its northern neighbor’s facilities and leaders.
Despite international pressure and sanctions, North Korea continues to refine its nuclear capabilities through testing and fielding new weapons. Its leader, Kim Jong Un, has vowed to strengthen the “nuclear shield and sword” to counter the U.S.-South Korean alliance, which is protected by American nuclear weapons under extended deterrence.
Defense analysts note that the deployment of the Hyunmoo-5 underscores South Korea’s commitment to maintaining credible defensive and retaliatory capabilities, even while adhering to international nuclear non-proliferation commitments.
