South Korea deploys secret missile to counter North Korea — Defense Minister
Photo: South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (Getty Images)
South Korea will begin deploying the secret Hyunmoo-5 missile at the end of this year in an attempt to achieve a balance of power in its confrontation with North Korea, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said.
"As South Korea is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that cannot own nuclear arms, I firmly believe we should possess a considerable amount of Hyunmoo-5 monster missiles to achieve a balance of terror," Ahn says.
According to him, mass production of missiles has already begun, and measures are being taken to significantly increase their output.
The surface-to-surface missile, nicknamed monster because of its size, is known for its ability to carry a warhead weighing about eight tons and destroy underground bunkers. The military first disclosed information about the Hyunmoo-5 during a ceremony marking Armed Forces Day last year.
Ahn also calls for a significant increase in the military's strike arsenal at various levels, ranging from artillery ammunition to what he called a modernized version of the Hyunmoo-5 with a longer range and a more powerful warhead.
The Defense Minister's remarks came as North Korea steps up its weapons development, likely with technological assistance from Russia.
Ahn also says North Korea may try to launch a new ICBM this year, citing movements detected near a missile launch site. North Korea's last ICBM test was in October last year.
Return of army command
The defense minister also expressed confidence in Lee Jae-myung's government's desire to transfer wartime operational control of troops from Washington to Seoul during Lee's five-year term.
South Korea transferred operational control of its forces to the US-led UN Command during the 1950-53 Korean War. It was later transferred to the Allied Forces Command.
Although wartime operational control remained in US hands, South Korea regained command of its army in peacetime in 1994.
Background
North Korea held a military parade during which Kim Jong-un demonstrated new weapons to delegations from China, Russia, and Vietnam. In particular, this refers to the new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile.
According to Kim Jong Un, the DPRK has created a powerful secret weapon. What exactly this is remains unknown.
During the military parade, North Korea likely presented an analog of the American HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.
