South Korea’s Armed Forces Day ceremony on Tuesday was a display of military might and a stern warning to its northern neighbor. Amidst a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, the South Korean military unveiled its most powerful ballistic missile, the Hyunmoo-5, capable of carrying an 8-ton conventional warhead and striking deep underground targets in North Korea. This marked the first time South Korea publicly displayed this advanced weapon.
The ceremony served as a platform for President Yoon Suk Yeol to deliver a pointed message to North Korea: any attempt to use nuclear weapons would result in the regime’s demise. “If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face the resolute and overwhelming response of our military and the (South Korea)-U.S. alliance,” Yoon declared, emphasizing the strength of the South Korean-U.S. alliance. “That day will be the end of the North Korean regime.”
The display of weaponry was not limited to the Hyunmoo-5. The South Korean military showcased approximately 340 pieces of equipment and weapons systems, including some of its most advanced fighter jets. The U.S., in a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to its Asian ally, flew a long-range B-1B bomber over the ceremony.
The increased military activity comes in response to North Korea’s recent actions. The regime has sparked concern by disclosing its uranium-enrichment facility and conducting multiple missile tests, including a launch ahead of the U.S. presidential election. These moves have significantly heightened regional tensions and have prompted South Korea to take a more assertive stance.
Beyond the public display, South Korea launched its strategic command, a move aimed at integrating its conventional forces with U.S. nuclear weapons. This step underscores the strategic alliance between the two countries and their joint efforts to deter North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
The South Korean government’s proactive approach to North Korea’s nuclear program has intensified since President Yoon took office in 2022. He has prioritized strengthening the military alliance with the U.S. and enhancing trilateral security cooperation between Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo. This strategic realignment aims to counter North Korea’s advancing nuclear program.
North Korea, meanwhile, has not remained silent. In response to the increased U.S. military presence in the region, including the recent visit of a nuclear-powered submarine and the B-1B bomber flyover, North Korea’s Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il issued a stern warning. He threatened to bolster the country’s “powerful war deterrent,” an apparent reference to its nuclear capability, and to take unspecified actions to undermine the security of the U.S. mainland. His comments suggest that North Korea might consider test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
The situation remains volatile. Experts believe that North Korea, seeking greater concessions from the U.S., including sanctions relief, may continue its provocations. The coming months are likely to be marked by heightened tensions and a continuation of the arms race in the region.
