South Korea conducts first test launch of indigenous HGV
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and government and defence officials pose with the Hyunmoo-5 high-power ballistic missile system after observing the country's first HGV test launch on 8 October 2026. (Office of the President of the Republic of Korea) (Office of the President of the Republic of Korea)
South Korea has conducted the first test launch of an indigenously developed hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), taking a step towards deploying a new manoeuvrable strike capability.
President Lee Jae Myung observed the HGV test on 8 October, the South Korean presidential office said in a statement. The office said the test was an important step towards acquiring a new capability to strike targets within the Korean Peninsula.
The presidential office released photographs of Lee observing the test and inspecting the Hyunmoo-5 but did not release images or video of the HGV or its launch.
Test details
The HGV is a “core strategic asset capable of changing the course of the battlefield by using an unpredictable flight trajectory and overwhelming speed to carry out surprise strikes against key strategic targets in an emergency”, the office said.
It did not disclose the HGV's speed, range, dimensions, development schedule, or planned entry-into-service date. The office also did not disclose the location of the launch.
However, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the HGV was launched from a barge at a test centre in Taean, about 130 km south of Seoul, run by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Although not confirmed, this is likely the ADD's Anheung Test Centre.
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