South Korea to Unveil New Hyunmoo-5 Ballistic Missile at Armed Forces Day Ceremony

South Korea will showcase its new ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5, along with other key military systems during the 76th anniversary of its armed forces this week, officials announced on Sunday.

The display is seen as a response to recent provocations by North Korea.

The Hyunmoo-5 missile, capable of carrying a warhead weighing 8-9 tons, will be featured during a ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of the capital, and during a military parade in downtown 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 displayed for the first time at last year’s Armed Forces Day event.

South Korea has been developing its Hyunmoo series, which includes both 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-axis deterrence structure, which aims to counter the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea.

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