#ONNanalysis
1. While much attention this week has been on the 🇰🇵’s paraded missiles, 🇰🇷 is continuing to progress in the development of its own missile programme. 🇰🇷 likely conducted tests for its new ‘high-power’ Hyunmoo, also known as Hyunmoo-5, in recent days.
1. While much attention this week has been on the 🇰🇵’s paraded missiles, 🇰🇷 is continuing to progress in the development of its own missile programme. 🇰🇷 likely conducted tests for its new ‘high-power’ Hyunmoo, also known as Hyunmoo-5, in recent days.
2. @planet imagery shows a probable missile launcher on the launch pad at the Agency for Defence Development’s (ADD) test site on 31 January, one day before reporting on a planned launch for 3 February started appearing in South Korean media. en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN202302… 
3. The ~20m launcher appears ~5m longer than the one likely used in a 2020 Hyunmoo-4 test at the same location. This would be consistent with an improvement in performance, in line with the reported increase in warhead weight from 4-5t to 8-9t. opennuclear.org/publication/so…
4. Navigational warnings by the ROK’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency suggest that a launch within the 300km range may have taken place on 3 or 4 February. No commercial imagery is available to corroborate these dates, and there has been no official confirmation yet.
5. Additionally, @planet imagery shows that since at least 5 February, a barge previously used for Hyunmoo launches has been set up in waters by another island ~50km away. Navigational warnings suggest that another launch may have occurred there on 10 Feb
https://twitter.com/DaveSchmerler/status/1509137797516603396?s=20&t=r9x95XNHz_IUUssGWabv3g
6. The “high-power” Hyunmoo was first promoted in a video celebrating the 2022 Armed Forces Day as a component of the ROK’s KMPR (Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation) planning and is reported to be capable of carrying a warhead of up to 8-9 tons.
7. While the stated intent of this programme is to add a bunker-busting capability to the KMPR missile portfolio, a reduction of the warhead weight could transform this missile into one with at least a medium to intermediate range.
8. Given President Yoon’s strong emphasis on enhanced KMPR capabilities in his speech during last month’s foreign and defense ministry’s work report, it is plausible that further promotional material of successful test launches will soon follow. korea.kr/news/president…
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