South Korea to conduct live-fire missile drills in retaliation for North Korea’s missile tests

South Korea is set to conduct live-fire missile exercises this week, involving Hyunmoo-II surface-to-surface missiles and the Cheongung surface-to-air missile defence system, in response to North Korea’s recent missile launches, according to a military source on November 5.

The drills, which could take place as soon as November 6, are a direct reaction to North Korea’s launch of multiple short-range ballistic missiles on November 5, as well as its test of the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on November 7, Caliber.Az reports per Korean media.

A military source stated, “In response to North Korea’s escalating provocations with the recent ICBM launch, the exercises will involve weapons capable of striking North Korea in a contingency scenario, serving as a warning to the North.”

The Hyunmoo-II, a short-range ballistic missile operated by the Army's Missile Strategic Command, has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, which would cover all of North Korea within its reach.

South Korea has previously held live-fire missile drills in response to North Korea’s provocative actions. In October 2022, the South Korean military launched a Hyunmoo-IIC ballistic missile in response to North Korea’s test of an intermediate-range ballistic missile.

By Vafa Guliyeva