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South Korea to test-launch new ‘high-power’ Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile during this week, reveals report

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BNN Correspondents
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According to reports from sources this Wednesday, South Korea is planning to test-launch a new “high-power” ballistic missile named Hyunmoo-5, later this week. This move is taken up to increase deterrence against the growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

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According to the source, the state-run Agency for Defense Development will conduct the test of the Hyunmoo-5 missile, at its Anheung test site in Taean, on Friday. Taean is around 150 kilometres from Seoul, on Friday.

A navigational warning is issued for areas spanning some 300 km away from the test site to waters for Friday and Saturday.

The Hyunmoo-5 missile is capable of carrying a warhead weighing 8-9 kilograms with a thrust of 75 tons-force. After reaching an apogee, it descends at a speed of Mach 10.

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The hyunmoo-5 missile's maximum range is not known clearly. It is expected to fly for 3,000 kilometres or farther, which is equivalent to the distance covered by an intermediate-range missile.

If and when fielded, the Hyunmoo-5 missile, is expected to serve as the centrepiece of Seoul’s Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR). The KMPR is the operational plan to incapacitate the North Korean leadership in case of major conflict.

KMPR is a pillar of the three-axis deterrence structure. This includes the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike platform and the Korea Air and Missile Defense systems.

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