The Intensified Missile Development War Between North and South Korea [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

The missile development competition between the South and the North is intensifying. North Korea is showcasing various cruise missiles and signaling the deployment of its forces. Our military also plans to accelerate the research and development of the Tactical Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon (KTSSM-II), capable of precisely striking North Korea's underground tunnels.

The Defense Technology Quality Institute successfully conducted a quality certification firing test of the KTSSM, a precision strike surface-to-surface guided weapon, at the Defense Test Research Institute of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in May last year. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense) [Image source=Yonhap News]

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On the 15th, North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported that Chairman Kim Jong-un "guided the inspection firing test of the newly developed ground-to-sea missile 'Badasuri-6'." This marks the fifth cruise missile launch by North Korea this year. On January 24, North Korea launched several new strategic cruise missiles 'Bulhwachal-3-31' from near Pyongyang toward the West Sea; on January 28, two Bulhwachal-3-31 missiles were launched near Sinpo City, South Hamgyong Province, toward the sea; and on January 30, the existing 'Hwasal-2' was launched toward the West Sea. Earlier this month, on the 2nd, North Korea conducted a power test of a super-large warhead cruise missile and a test launch of a new anti-air (surface-to-air) missile over the West Sea.

Our military has also initiated the development of the KTSSM-II in response to North Korea. On the 14th, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) held a briefing session for domestic defense companies regarding the development of the 'vehicle-mounted KTSSM-II.' The KTSSM-II is an upgraded version of the KTSSM-I, which is scheduled to be deployed this year. The range of the KTSSM-II is significantly extended to 300 km compared to the KTSSM-I's 180 km. When launched near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), it can strike as far as the vicinity of the Yalu River, effectively covering the entire territory of North Korea within its range. The KTSSM-II is designed to be mounted and operated on a mobile launcher (TEL) vehicle of the 'Cheonmu' multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) to evade enemy strikes and enhance operational capability.

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