{"id":2207338,"date":"2024-12-02T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T23:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207338"},"modified":"2024-12-01T21:10:11","modified_gmt":"2024-12-01T12:10:11","slug":"south-koreas-new-missile-defense-system-boosts-autonomy-and-export-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/south-koreas-new-missile-defense-system-boosts-autonomy-and-export-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s new missile defense system boosts autonomy and export potential"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> on Friday that it has completed development of the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM), a key component of its multi-layered missile defense system. The country\u2019s defense ministry stated that the system, designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes of up to 37 miles (60 kilometers), will enter mass production in 2025, with deployment planned for the late 2020s.<\/span><\/p>\n The L-SAM aims to enhance South Korea\u2019s defenses against high-altitude threats from North Korea. Officials claim the system was developed entirely with domestic technology, featuring advanced hit-to-kill precision-guidance capabilities, which it says place South Korea among the few nations capable of such high-altitude interception.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n The L-SAM could give South Korea greater foreign policy autonomy as it seeks to balance its relations with the U.S. and China. ROK-China ties have been strained since Seoul agreed to host U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (<\/span>THAAD<\/span><\/a>) batteries in 2016. With Donald Trump\u2019s return to the U.S. presidency poised to disrupt regional alliances, Beijing is seeking to <\/span>mend relations<\/span><\/a> with Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n Although L-SAM <\/span>cannot fully replace<\/span><\/a> THAAD, its deployment could reduce South Korea\u2019s reliance on the U.S.-provided system, enhancing Seoul\u2019s flexibility in managing competing pressures from Washington and Beijing.<\/span><\/p>\n The L-SAM also reinforces South Korea\u2019s growing role in the global defense export market. Its advanced capabilities will likely draw interest, particularly from the Middle East, where nations like <\/span>Saudi Arabia<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>United Arab Emirates<\/span><\/a> have already invested billions in South Korea\u2019s Cheongung II medium-range air defense systems. The L-SAM will likely position South Korea as a competitive supplier in a fast-growing and lucrative market.<\/span><\/p>\n