South Korea to reveal missile carrying massive warhead at military parade amid tensions with North

South Korea will showcase its so-called Hyunmoo-5 missile, capable of delivering powerful retaliatory strikes against North Korea, during the 76th Armed Forces Day parade in central Seoul on Tuesday, according to multiple military sources on Sunday.

A Hyunmoo missile, a key asset of South Korea's "three-axis" deterrence system, is showcased during a parade in central Seoul on Oct. 26, 2023, as part of the 75th Armed Forces Day celebrations. [KIM JONG-HO]

South Korea will showcase its so-called Hyunmoo-5 missile, capable of delivering powerful retaliatory strikes against North Korea, during the 76th Armed Forces Day parade in central Seoul on Tuesday, according to multiple military sources on Sunday.

The Hyunmoo-5 is a key asset in South Korea's "Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation" (KMPR) plan, part of the military's "three-axis" deterrence system. This system is designed to neutralize North Korea's leadership in the event of a major conflict.

The Hyunmoo-5 can carry a warhead weighing up to eight tons, making it the heaviest warhead of its kind in the world. Its heavy warhead can reportedly penetrate and destroy underground facilities, including bunkers more than 100 meters deep, which could potentially serve as hiding places for the North Korean leadership.

Although the official name of the missile has not been disclosed, it is referred to as part of the Hyunmoo series, Seoul's domestically developed missile family countering Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal. The series includes the now-retired Hyunmoo-1, the short-range ballistic missile Hyunmoo-2 and the cruise missile Hyunmoo-3. The Hyunmoo-4, with a two-ton warhead, was publicly revealed last year, though the missile itself remained inside its transporter erector launcher (TEL).

The reveal of the Hyunmoo-5 is viewed as a warning to North Korea in light of recent provocations, such as launches of trash-laden balloons aimed at South Korea and ballistic missile tests, including the recent test of a new tactical ballistic missile, the Hwasong-11Da-4.5, equipped with a 4.5-ton warhead. South Korea’s unveiling of a missile with nearly double that warhead capacity underscores its capability for large-scale retaliation in future confrontations.

The U.S. Air Force's B-1B Lancer bomber, dubbed the "Swan of Death" by the South Korean media, will also appear at Tuesday's Armed Forces Day ceremony.

The B-1B, which can fly at Mach 1.25 and carry up to 57 tons of munitions, is considered unmatched in payload capacity compared to other U.S. bombers like the B-2 and B-52, though it does not carry nuclear weapons. It can reach the Korean Peninsula from the U.S. base in Guam within two hours.

The B-1B’s presence emphasizes the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance and commemorates the launch of South Korea's new "Strategic Command" on Armed Forces Day. This command will oversee South Korea's key strategic assets — including the Hyunmoo missiles, stealth fighters and 3,000-ton-class submarines — focusing on deterring North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. The new command will work closely with the U.S. Strategic Command, which is responsible for America's nuclear forces.

Significant road closures in central Seoul are scheduled for Tuesday as part of the parade.

The 76th Armed Forces Day parade route [NAM JUNG-HYUN]

From 1:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m., all lanes on Heonreung-ro, Yangjae-daero, Dongjak-daero, and Hangang-daero will be closed as military personnel and armored units, including K2 tanks, depart from Seoul Air Base and move through the city. Civilian vehicles will be prohibited from entering these routes, and public buses will reroute to the nearest subway stations before turning back.

Sejong-daero between Sungnyemun and Gwanghwamun will also be closed from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. as part of the main parade route. Vehicles in downtown Seoul will be redirected via Namdaemun-ro or Tongil-ro, and access to Seosomun-ro will reopen at 4:30 p.m. once the parade concludes.

After the event, military personnel will regroup along Hyoja-ro, and armored units will return to base via Sajik-ro, with traffic restrictions lifted in stages.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]