This will be the second consecutive year that a military parade in downtown Seoul commemorates the occasion, following last year's event, which was the first of its kind in a decade.
According to multiple military sources on Sunday, the missile dubbed the Hyunmoo-5 will make its debut at the event, which will kick off on the tarmac of Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The missile will also be showcased during the parade stretching from Gwanghwamun to Sungnyemun or South Gate in central Seoul later in the day, offering spectators the opportunity to watch the latest addition to South Korea's defense arsenal up close.
The Hyunmoo-5, known for its capability to carry a warhead weighing eight tons, is one of the country's key strategic assets designed to counter North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats. A military official said, "Last year's event featured the Hyunmoo-4 equipped a 2-ton warhead and this year we are unveiling the Hyunmoo-5 boasting an 8-ton warhead, which has far greater destructive power than its predecessor."
The Hyunmoo series is part of South Korea's own missile defense system that aims to respond to the North Korean missile threats and forms the core of the South's "kill chain" preemptive strike system.
Alongside the Hyunmoo-5, other military assets will also be showcased as a stern warning against North Korea's recent provocations, which include consistent missile launches and a bizarre campaign of floating trash-filled balloons into the South.
Among them is the U.S. Air Force's supersonic strategic bomber, the B-1B Lancer. The B-1B is expected to perform a flyover as a show of force to demonstrate South Korea's alliance with the U.S.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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