Intending to Enhance Penetration Capability, South Korea's First Launch of Hypersonic Weapons Sends What Signal and May Intensify Regional Tensions

[Global Times Special Correspondent Xie Zhao] On the 8th, the South Korean presidential office, the Blue House, announced with great fanfare that the hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) independently developed by the Korea Defense Research Institute was successfully test-fired for the first time that day, with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol observing on-site. This also means that South Korea has officially joined the ranks of the few countries in the world that possess hypersonic glide technology. However, there is a widespread belief that South Korea's breakthrough in hypersonic missiles will inevitably further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

"A New Chapter in South Korea's Weapon Development History"

According to the Korea News Agency, Blue House Chief Spokesperson Kang You-jeong revealed that South Korea has achieved full flight verification of the hypersonic glide vehicle for the first time. The report stated that this test was conducted on a nearshore platform at a test center operated by the Korea Institute of Defense Science and Technology, located about 130 kilometers south of Seoul.

Kang You-jeong stated that the hypersonic glide vehicle has the advantages of unpredictable flight trajectories and high speeds, and is regarded as a core strategic asset for South Korea. This test verified the performance of ultra-high temperature resistant materials, guidance and control capabilities, and low-altitude irregular flight capabilities in a hypersonic environment. After reaching the target altitude, the vehicle successfully separated from the propulsion device and completed its mission as planned in a hypersonic flight environment.

South Korean media highly praised this successful test. The South Korean "Daily Economic News" stated that currently, only the United States, China, and Russia have operational hypersonic missiles, making South Korea's successful test a new chapter in its weapon development history. The report noted that the South Korean government and military had previously stated multiple times that they were developing air-to-ground hypersonic missiles launched from fighter jets, but this time they suddenly revealed the results of the ground-to-ground hypersonic missile development, which had been advanced as a secret project, "demonstrating South Korea's continuously improving missile capabilities." Other media claimed that this move means South Korea is one step closer to acquiring "game-changing weapon capabilities."

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol encouraged researchers at the launch site, stating that national security should be guaranteed by one's own strength, and the South Korean government will provide full support for the research and practical deployment of advanced weapons. After observing the test launch of the hypersonic glide vehicle, Yoon Suk-yeol also inspected the "Hyunmoo-5" missile, which is claimed to be "the strongest in the South Korean military."

What is the actual level?

In contrast to the excitement from South Korea, international media reactions to the first test launch of South Korea's hypersonic missile were much calmer. The U.S. Military Watch Magazine website stated on the 10th that North Korea successfully test-fired a hypersonic glide weapon for the first time in September 2021, while South Korea only achieved its first breakthrough five years later. The report stated that the hypersonic glide vehicle uses a rocket booster to accelerate to high speeds and altitudes, then separates and glides through the upper atmosphere. Traditional ballistic missiles have predictable trajectories after powered flight, while hypersonic glide vehicles not only fly at high speeds (exceeding five times the speed of sound) but can also maneuver during unpowered flight, making it difficult for opponents to predict their trajectories and organize interception actions. However, achieving these characteristics requires materials that can withstand extreme aerodynamic heating and guidance systems that can operate normally under harsh flight conditions.

The U.S. "Power" website's "Battle Zone" channel analyzed that the Blue House initially did not disclose specific details about this hypersonic missile test launch, and only released some vague related photos a day later. The report stated that due to the low resolution of the images, it is difficult to determine whether the missile and its launch device are based on existing South Korean equipment or manufactured using technology from other countries. In addition, South Korea did not disclose the flight and maximum speed of the vehicle before it ultimately fell into the water. "There was also no explanation of how the vehicle was controlled during mid-flight and at the final stage."

The report analyzed that based on the vague images released by South Korea, the vehicle appears to have a cone-like design with multiple stabilizing wings at the bottom. Further observation suggests that the vehicle may adopt a wedge-shaped wave-riding design. "Generally speaking, cone-shaped boost glide vehicles are easier to design than wedge-shaped vehicles, but this cannot be confirmed due to the low resolution of the photos."

The Malaysian "Asian Security Defense" website stated on the 10th that due to the lack of specific data on the speed, flight distance, and accuracy of South Korea's hypersonic glide vehicle, it is impossible to conduct an independent assessment of its actual performance. "The South Korean side did not disclose deviation data for the vehicle; merely reaching the designated position does not prove its performance under combat conditions, especially when it may need to strike moving targets." At the same time, South Korea did not disclose the size parameters of the missile, making it impossible to confirm its correlation with the active "Hyunmoo" series ballistic missiles, and thus it is also impossible to make reliable judgments about its compatibility, transport requirements, reloading procedures, and hardware commonality with South Korea's existing missile forces.

The report emphasized that this test is only the first test of South Korea's hypersonic weapons, and there is still a considerable distance to practical deployment. In the future, South Korea will need to conduct a large number of repeated tests, public performance evaluations, and troop drills to build a credible deterrent capability. The South Korean side revealed that this type of hypersonic missile is expected to be operational in the mid to late 2030s. Considering that South Korea already possesses various new missiles, the actual scale of deployment for South Korea's hypersonic missiles is difficult to predict. This is because hypersonic missiles require supporting development, production, and storage facilities, trained operators, and integration with reconnaissance-targeting networks, making the overall equipment cost quite high.

Conveying a Clear Strategic Signal

The "Asian Security Defense" website stated that the successful test of South Korea's hypersonic glide vehicle conveys a clear strategic signal, rather than a direct enhancement of actual combat capabilities. However, South Korea is already equipped with the "Hyunmoo" series of missiles and has also equipped the South Korean Air Force's F-15K fighter jets with long-range air-launched weapons such as the "Taurus." These missile combinations form a diversified strike capability for South Korea, posing a significant challenge to opponents' defenses.

The "Power" website's "Battle Zone" channel stated that South Korea has been continuously strengthening the development of advanced missile technology in recent years and has equipped various domestically produced land-based ballistic missiles, which can serve as the foundation for hypersonic boost glide vehicles. For example, the "Hyunmoo-5" ballistic missile, which Yoon Suk-yeol inspected, was only put into service at the end of last year. The missile's most notable feature is its 8-ton super-heavy warhead, which can be used to strike deeply hidden and hard-to-breach underground targets.

The report also mentioned that in addition to the hypersonic unpowered glide vehicle that was exposed this time, South Korea is developing more advanced air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles. At the same time, South Korea is also developing new missiles that can be equipped on surface warships and submarines. The hypersonic glide vehicle tested this time will enhance South Korea's ability to challenge potential opponents in the region and reflects the increasingly escalating arms race situation on the Korean Peninsula.