South Korea showcased its most powerful ballistic missile for the first time in an annual military parade, signalling the country’s readiness to respond to North Korean threats as the President Yoon Suk-yeol warned the North’s regime would collapse if it attempts to use nuclear weapons. The Hyunmoo-5, capable of carrying an 8-tonne conventional warhead that can penetrate deep into the earth and destroy underground bunkers in North Korea, was the highlight of the Armed Forces Day parade at a Seoul airbase. The parade also featured 5,300 troops, 340 types of military equipment, and aircraft flypasts.
“If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face the resolute and overwhelming response of our military and the South Korea-US alliance,” President Yoon Suk-yeol told thousands of troops who gathered at the base on Tuesday. “That day will be the end of the North Korean regime.”
“The North Korean regime must abandon the delusion that nuclear weapons will protect them,” Yoon said.
South Korea’s weapons displays and warning against the North came after its northern rival recently raised regional animosities by disclosing its uranium-enrichment facility and tested missiles ahead of the US Presidential election in November.
Since assuming office in 2022, President Yoon has reintroduced the tradition of annual military parades as part of his “peace through strength” strategy. He has also supported a stronger military alliance with the United States and closer cooperation among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo.
This year’s parade featured a flypast by a United States B-1B strategic bomber for the first time and participation from the US Eighth Army band and an armoured Stryker brigade.
South Korean media has nicknamed the Hyunmoo-5 missile a “monster missile” following its successful test last year.
The military introduced the weapon as the “ultra high-power Hyunmoo ballistic missile”, which was positioned on two nine-axle transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicles. The Hyunmoo-5 is categorised as short-range, but if topped with a 1-tonne warhead – typical for ballistic missiles – its range can exceed 5,000km (3,107 miles according to South Korea’s parliamentary defence committee.
Hours before the ceremony, North Korea criticized the planned flypast of the B-1B. It accused Washington of conducting a “reckless military bluff” by recently sending a nuclear-powered submarine to South Korea. Last month, North Korea released images of its uranium enrichment facility. It has also continued to conduct regular test launches of weapons in defiance of international sanctions.
Team BharatShakti (With inputs from Reuters)
