South Korea launches ballistic missile in response to DPRK provocations

8 November, 2024 Launch of the Hyunmoo-II missile. South Korea, November 7, 2024. Photo credits: Yonhap

South Korea responds to the DPRK's latest missile test by launching a Hyunmoo-II ballistic missile in the Yellow Sea. The Yonhap news agency reported on this with reference to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The military said it had been an exercise involving the launch of a short-range ballistic missile.

The live-fire drills took place on Thursday, November 7, in the western coastal district 108 kilometers from Seoul. This comes a few days after North Korea (DPRK) launched short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday and a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last week.

Hwasong-18 missile launch, April 2023. Still image from KCNA video

Under a scenario of a North Korean ballistic missile launch, a South Korean missile unit fired a Hyunmoo-II short-range ballistic missile to strike a maritime target simulating the origin of the North's missile firing.

The live-fire drills were intended to demonstrate Seoul's readiness to "respond to any provocation" by Pyongyang, as well as the ability to deliver the precision strikes on enemy targets. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff added that they, along with their American allies, continued to closely monitor North Korea's military activities and maintain forces in readiness to respond immediately to any provocations by the DPRK. South Korea recently unveiled a supersonic air-to-ground missile at the Sacheon Air Show.

This missile is designed to be used with FA-50 light strike fighters, as well as with the latest 4th generation KF-21 aircraft.

It is intended both for export and to enhance the missile aviation potential of the South Korean Air Force.