The Hyunmoo-V Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), ROK's new strategic asset, was unveiled with its 18x18 launcher vehicle.
Hyunmoo-V will be the ground leg of the ROK's KMPR retaliation plan against North Korea. It has the longest range of any ROK ballistic missile and a massive warhead weighing nine tonnes. Depending on the warhead used, the missile can reach a range between 300 km and 5000 km.
KMPR, or Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation, is the ROK's response against a potential nuclear attack from North Korea with high-yield, non-nuclear weaponry for mutually assured destruction.
While Hyunmoo-V will surely consist of the ground leg, it might also join the sea leg of the three-way strategy. A Joint Strike Ship (JSS), being proposed as a deterrent platform with various cruise and ballistic missiles, has space for a single Hyunmoo-V missile.
When Naval News reached out to DAPA regarding the JSS proposal, it was stated that the ship is under the concept research phase and not yet fully approved due to cost and feasibility being evaluated. Additionally, JSS's introduction might cause an escalation due to its comprehensive land attack capabilities.
Currently, the ROK can attack land targets from Sejong, the Great-class destroyers and submarines with K-VLS to launch Hyunmoo-III cruise missiles.
In any case, Hyunmoo-V's long-range and large warhead can allow it to strike strategic sites deep underground or large industrial ones.
