South Korea Enhances Missile Shield with an Upgraded Cheongung-II to Deter North’s Growing Threat.

Seoul announced, on July 28, 2025, the initial deployment of the Cheongung-II air defense system. This modernized capability, derived from the Cheongung-I platform, considerably expands the operational scope of South Korean forces. While the original Cheongung-I system was specifically designed to intercept aircraft at medium altitudes, the Cheongung-II now includes a ballistic missile interception capability in response to the increasing frequency of missile launches from North Korea.
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Operators prepare to launch the Cheongung-II surface-to-surface missile during a live-fire exercise aimed at intercepting a guided missile in western South Korea, on November 6, 2024. (Picture source: South Korean MOD)

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the upgraded system represents a central component of the country’s multi-layered national missile defense architecture, known as the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD). Also referred to as the M-SAM Block 2 (Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile), the Cheongung-II is capable of intercepting ballistic targets at altitudes of up to 15 kilometers and within a range of approximately 40 kilometers. It is based on a high-precision active electronically scanned array (AESA) multifunction radar and uses interceptor missiles equipped with active radar guidance in the terminal phase. These features enable the system to accurately engage fast and maneuvering targets, whether aerial or ballistic.

The latest development in the series, the Cheongung-III (or KM-SAM Block 3), reflects the technological maturation of South Korea’s medium-range defense capability. It is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft flying at altitudes up to 30 kilometers. Evolving from the Cheolmae-II and Cheongung-II programs, the Cheongung-III combines Russo-Korean technology, particularly elements derived from the 9M96 missile used in the S-400 system, with South Korea’s domestic expertise. Coordinated by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and developed in collaboration with LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and Samsung Thales, the system uses a solid-fuel missile guided by inertial navigation and active radar. It reaches speeds up to Mach 4.5, allowing it to react rapidly to short- and medium-range threats.

At the core of the system is the AESA multifunction radar, capable of tracking up to 40 targets simultaneously within a 100-kilometer radius. It provides full 3D coverage through electronic beam steering and emits minimal sidelobes, making it harder to detect or jam. The system is modular, comprising 8-cell vertical launchers mounted on vehicles, a mobile command post, and a radar unit with electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities. The Cheongung-III can engage up to six ballistic or aerial targets concurrently and is fully interoperable with other elements of the KAMD. It is also intended for integration aboard Daegu-class frigates via the Korean Vertical Launch System (K-VLS), enhancing maritime and littoral missile defense.

The decision to modernize existing systems rather than procure entirely new ones aligns with budgetary optimization goals. DAPA reported that 645 billion won, approximately USD 467 million, was invested in this upgrade. This approach enables accelerated deployment while reducing logistical and training costs. Full nationwide deployment is expected by 2027, further reinforcing South Korea’s posture in light of North Korea’s continued missile testing and the rapid evolution of regional strike technologies.

Originally fielded in the 2010s, the Cheongung-I was introduced to replace aging U.S.-made HAWK systems, providing limited aerial coverage at altitudes of 15 to 20 kilometers. Its transformation into the Cheongung-II added a hit-to-kill interception capability for ballistic threats, improving reaction time and lethality. This shift is part of a broader modernization effort aimed at ensuring comprehensive coverage against asymmetric or massed attacks.

Internationally, the Cheongung program also contributes to South Korea’s position as a defense technology exporter. The Cheongung-II was sold to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 under a USD 3.5 billion contract and to Saudi Arabia in 2024 for USD 3.2 billion covering ten units. These commercial successes were accompanied by industrial cooperation agreements involving Hanwha Aerospace, LIG Nex1, and other subcontractors, supporting domestic technological autonomy and opening strategic export opportunities in the Middle East and Asia.

This trajectory reflects a dual objective: consolidating a credible national defense posture capable of addressing the growing ballistic missile threat, while integrating into global defense value chains. Through the continued development of the Cheongung-II and the emergence of the Cheongung-III, South Korea positions itself as a technological hub capable of meeting domestic security requirements and supplying a competitive defense industry base.

The operational deployment of the Cheongung-II and the advancement of the Cheongung-III mark a strategic progression in South Korea’s defense policy. By combining capability enhancement, cost efficiency, and industrial projection, Seoul aims to secure its airspace over the long term while expanding its role in the regional security architecture. This integrated development model, based on technological innovation, targeted international cooperation, and domestic industrial expansion, could ultimately serve as a benchmark in the evolution of next-generation missile defense systems.