The Haeseong I (English: Sea Star I) is a subsonic, antiship cruise missile. It is the first variant developed within South Korea’s Haeseong cruise missile series, and has a range of 150 km (surface-launched) or 250 km (air-launched). It entered service in 2005.

Haeseong I Development

South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development began developing the Haeseong I in 1996 and first acknowledged the program’s existence in November 1998.¹ The program aimed to counter North Korea’s large number of small- to medium-sized naval vessels with an indigenously-produced weapon. South Korea had previously developed an antiship missile named ‘Hae Ryong’ for similar purposes; the program was later terminated due to technical issues and U.S. political pressure.²

South Korea first flight tested the Haesong I in 2001. The missile’s first confirmed test of a warhead-equipped missile took place on August 21, 2003, and development concluded later that year.³

The missile entered full-rate production in 2005. It is manufactured by LIG Nex1, a South Korean defense firm.⁴

Haeseong I Specifications

The Haeseong I has a length of 5.46 m, a body diameter of 0.34 m, and a launch weight of 718 kg.⁵

The missile has a range of 150 km (surface-launched) or 250 km (air-launched) while carrying a 220 kg payload.⁶ The Haeseong I uses GPS-aided inertial navigation system for mid-course guidance, active-radar for terminal homing, and a phased array active radar seeker.⁷ Propelled by a solid-fueled booster and an SS-760K turbofan engine, the missile has a maximum speed of 290 m/s; roughly Mach 0.85.⁸

The missile is capable of evasive maneuvers (to counter defenses), low altitude sea-skimming flight (to avoid detection), inclined attack (to counter defenses), and repeated attack (in case of initial miss).⁹

Haeseong I Service History

The Haeseong I entered service in 2005.¹⁰ It is carried onboard the Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer (KDX-I), the Chungmugong Yi Sun-shin-class destroyer (KDX-II), and the Aegis-equipped Sejong the Great-class destroyer (KDX-III).¹¹ The missile is also fitted to Incheon-class frigates (FFX-I) and Patroller Killer Guided (PKG)-class vessels.¹²

The air-launched version is fitted to the F-16K Fighting Falcon; the sub-launched variant equips the Chang Bogo- (Type 209 or 1200) or KSS-2-class boats; and the ground-launched version is fired from road-mobile trucks.¹³

South Korea has tested the Haeseong I several times in recent years. The missile was successfully tested in a 2014 drill in the East Sea.¹⁴

During a May 2016 drill, however, a Haeseong I failed to reach its intended target. This failure – along with several others that year – concerned South Korean lawmakers about their cruise missile capabilities and aging military equipment.¹⁵

On July 6, 2017, the ROK Navy launched a Haeseong I during joint ROK-N and ROK-AF live-fire drills. The test took place two days after North Korea test fired its Hwasong-14 ICBM.¹⁶