Seoul: South Korea's military has initiated the deployment of the high-power Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile, as military sources confirmed. This development comes as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back advocates for a "balance of terror" to counter the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Hyunmoo-5, a surface-to-surface missile known for its significant size, is engineered to target underground bunkers and forms a crucial component of South Korea's strategy to deter and potentially respond to a major attack from North Korea. The nation has been placing greater emphasis on enhancing its conventional strike capabilities to bolster its deterrence against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Minister Ahn has been vocal about the need for a substantial augmentation of South Korea's strike arsenal in light of North Korea's nuclear threats. "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," Ahn stated in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in October last year. He highlighted that mass production of the missile has commenced, with efforts underway to significantly ramp up output.

The Hyunmoo-5 was first publicly showcased during an Armed Forces Day ceremony in 2023. Despite its public unveiling, specific details about the missile have largely been kept under wraps due to its strategic importance. The military aims to deploy up to hundreds of advanced missiles, including the Hyunmoo-5, alongside upgraded variants currently in development.

The deployment process, which began late last year, is anticipated to be completed within President Lee Jae Myung's administration, which is set to conclude in June 2030.