The Hyunmoo-2B is a short-range, solid-fueled ballistic missile developed and deployed by South Korea. The missile has a standard range of 500 km, but can travel up to 800 km with a reduced payload. It entered service in 2009 and remains operational.

Hyunmoo-2B Development

South Korea began developing the Hyunmoo-2B with the goal to improve its ballistic missile strike accuracy.¹

It is unclear if the new variant achieved this goal, however, as reports indicate both the Hyunmoo-2A and 2B have an accuracy of 30 m circular error probable (CEP). It was developed by the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and entered service in 2009.²

Upon entering service, the Hyunmoo-2B had a reported range of 300 km, which was the range limit for ROK ballistic missiles at the time. However, following the US-ROK agreement to extend ROK ballistic missile range limits from 300 to 800 km in September 2012, as well as some technical modifications to the missile, the Hyunmoo-2B became capable of striking targets up to 800 km away.

Specifications

The Hyunmoo-2B has a length of over 12 m, diameter of 0.9 m, and launch weight of approximately 5,400 kg.³

The missile is solid-fueled and two-staged.⁴ It has a range of 500 km while carrying a 997 kg warhead.⁵

Reports also indicate that the Hyunmoo-2B can travel up to 800 km with a smaller (500 kg) warhead. The missile has a reported CEP of 30 m.⁶

Submarine-launched Variant

South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) is currently developing a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which reports indicate is likely a variant of the Hyunmoo-2A and/or 2B missiles. It is to be fitted aboard the Jangbogo-III (KSS-III), South Korea’s largest (3,000-ton) attack submarine class currently under construction. The unnamed sub-launch variant can reportedly be fired from submarines equipped with the Korean Vertical Launch System (K- VLS). The Jangbogo-III has capacity for up to 10 Hyunmoo-3C cruise missiles and an unknown number of SLBMs.⁷

Addressing the unusual nature of a conventionally armed SLBM, retired ROK Navy Rear Admiral Kim Hyeok-soo noted that while “the SLBM may lack the accuracy of the SLCM, which is equipped with a [sophisticated] guidance system, its velocity and destructive capability are significantly greater. The deployment of the speedy and stealthy SLBM will allow the South Korean Navy to deliver a blow to North Korea before the situation even escalates to emergency levels.”⁸

Service History

South Korea first deployed the Hyunmoo-2B in late 2009. The missile’s deployment was reportedly concentrated in the country’s central and eastern portions of its border with North Korea.⁹

Since its deployment, South Korea has test fired several Hyunmoo-2B missiles. The ROK military test fired a Hyunmoo-2B on April 4, 2014, following a North Korean No Dong test on March 25.¹⁰

Two Hyunmoo-2B missiles were test fired in June 2015.¹¹ On June 23, 2017, ROK test fired another two Hyunmoo-2B missiles at Taean-gun, along South Korea’s west coast.¹²