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President Moon Jae-in observes the test launch of the Hyunmoo 2 ballistic missile at the test site of the Agency for Defense Development

On June 23, President Moon Jae-in visited the test site of the Agency for Defense Development, located in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, to observe the test launch of the Hyunmoo 2 ballistic missile. The Hyunmoo 2 is a critical component of the “kill chain” (a system designed to detect a North Korean nuclear weapon or missile attack in advance and carry out a preliminary strike on the launch site), and with a range of 800km the missile could hit any point in North Korean territory. Moon’s observation of the test launch was likely intended to underscore South Korea’s capability to respond to a North Korean missile attack, mitigating security concerns prompted by the controversy about delaying the THAAD deployment while also sending a warming message to the North Korean leadership, which continues to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.

“After launch, the missile flew the intended distance and precisely struck the target. The success of this test launch signifies that we have acquired the greatest possible capability according to new South Korean and American missile guidelines. This was the fourth of six test launches, and the missile will be deployed after two more test launches are assessed,” said Blue House spokesperson Park Soo-hyun during the regular press briefing. “President Moon’s visit to the Agency for Defense Development today sends a stern warning about North Korea’s series of recent provocations.”

Test launch of the Hyunmoo 2 ballistic missile

“Given the increasing sophistication of North Korea’s missile provocations, South Koreans are very curious about the extent of the South Korean military’s missile capability. As president, I too was curious. It’s reassuring to be briefed on our missile capability and to see for myself that South Koreans don’t need to worry,” Moon said immediately after the successful test launch.

“I’m an advocate of dialogue, but even dialogue is made possible by a powerful military, and even engagement is made possible by the ability to overpower North Korea. I think that the weapon systems that the Agency for Defense Development is working on are means not of destruction and slaughter but rather of dialogue and peace,” Moon was also quoted as saying by Park.

Lee Sang-cheol, vice director of the National Security Office, had been scheduled to attend the test launch, but the schedule was hurriedly adjusted after Moon indicated he wanted to attend personally following a briefing about the event the day before. “It’s true that some officials expressed concerns that the president attending the event might end up provoking North Korea,” Park said. While the Blue House said that the Hyunmoo 2 missile that was successfully test launched was a key weapon in the “kill chain,” designed to counter North Korean nuclear weapon and missile attacks, military analysts believe that the missile’s range and accuracy make it an offensive weapon that could be used in a precision strike against the North Korean leadership.

By Lee Se-young, staff reporter

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