Seoul scores success in test of countermissile system

Published : Sept 27, 2017 - 15:30 Updated : Sept 27, 2017 - 15:30

South Korea has conducted a successful test of an advance system designed to protect aircrafts from incoming missiles and infrared homing, Seoul’s military said Wednesday, boosting hopes the technology will enhance Seoul’s special warfare capability targeting North Korea’s leadership.

During the trial at a test site in Anheung, Gyeonggi Province, in July, aircrafts outfitted with Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DICRM) successfully avoided several incoming missiles by disturbing their guidance system, according to military officials.

“We believe that the outcome was successful. It’s very encouraging,” a military official said under the condition of anonymity, due to the sensitivity of the issue. “We will do our utmost to deploy the system as quickly as possible.”

North Korea`s ledaer Kim Jong-un. Yonhap

South Korea has been working on developing its own DICRM since 2011. The project has been spearheaded by local defense firm Hanwha Systems in conjunction with state-run Agency for Defense Development.

Equipped with a high-tech laser-jammer, the DIRCM uses its sensor to identify and thwart quickly approaching enemy armaments, such as portable missiles, which pose a grave threat to low-flying helicopters and cargo planes used for special warfare operations.

The system’s advanced missile-evading technology is expected to boost South Korea’s capability to conduct a special warfare campaign deep into North Korea’s territory and implement a clandestine “decapitation operation” against the regime’s leader Kim Jong-un, the military said.

North Korea has fielded a multilayered air-defense system inside its capital Pyongyang and nearby cities to protect Kim and his wartime command. In the event of war or contingency, Kim and his aides are suspected to take cover in underground facilities to avoid airstrikes.

“It will definitely enhance our capability to conduct infiltration operations..We are trying to finish the process for fielding the system as quickly as possible,” the military official added.

In a bid to restore a balance of terror against the nuclear-armed North Korea, South Korea has spurred its efforts to diversify the platform to destroy the North’s wartime command when there were imminent signs of nuclear attacks.

Earlier this month, Seoul’s Defense Minister Song Young-moo revealed a plan to establish the unit for decapitation plan by Dec. 1. The unit’s task organization is expected to be in line with US special warfare units, such as SEAL Team Six, which successfully completed a mission to kill Osama Bin Laden.

By Yeo Jun-suk (jaonsyeo@heraldcorp.com)