In a move signaling its commitment to bolstering defense capabilities, South Korea has earmarked approximately $218 million to develop an enhanced version of its domestically produced bunker-buster missile. As outlined by the state arms procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the investment seeks to fortify the nation’s defenses in the face of North Korea’s evolving missile and nuclear postures. This advanced Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile-II (KTSSM-II), set to operate from a mobile launcher, is expected to boost the military’s precision strike abilities, particularly against underground enemy positions, such as North Korea’s entrenched long-range artillery assets.

The push for this enhanced missile system stems from previous provocations, notably the 2010 artillery strike by North Korea on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island. In that incident, North Korean coastal artillery, based in underground tunnels, fired on the island, leading to the deaths of two marines and two civilians. This incident compelled South Korea to advance its existing missile technology. The revamped bunker-buster missile promises improved range, surpassing the current system’s 180-kilometer reach and enhanced penetration capabilities. However, DAPA has refrained from divulging specific details about the new weapon, citing operational security concerns.