VIVAERO

South Korea unveils new Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile

South Korea displayed its new ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5, along with other key military systems during the 76th anniversary of its armed forces today. A USAF B-1B bomber also conducted a flyby escorted by F-15K fighter jets.

The display on October 1 is seen as a response to North Korea's recent provocations.

The Hyunmoo-5 missile, capable of carrying a warhead weighing 8-9 tons, will be displayed during a ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of the capital, and during a military parade in central Seoul on Tuesday. According to officials cited by South Korean media, the Hyunmoo-5 is more destructive than its predecessor, the Hyunmoo-4, which was first displayed at last year's Armed Forces Day event.

South Korea has been developing its Hyunmoo series of ballistic and cruise missiles as part of its Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy. The Hyunmoo missile system is a key component of South Korea’s three-pronged deterrent framework, which aims to counter the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea.

During the ceremony, the U.S. military will also display the USAF’s B-1B Lancer bomber at Seoul Air Base for the first time(image above). The four-engine supersonic strategic bomber, capable of speeds of up to Mach 1.25 and with a flight range of 12,000 kilometers, can reach the Korean Peninsula in two hours from Guam. The display comes as a show of strength by the allies in the face of ongoing tensions with North Korea.