South Korea has recently displayed its nuclear capability through a submarine-launched ballistic missile or SLBM, according to reports Tuesday.
What's special about this demonstration is that it made South Korea the first nation without nuclear capabilities to execute such military competence.
According to reports, a new Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine successfully launched underwater ejection tests last week. These latest tests come after South Korea conducted similar tests from a submerged barge last month.
For security reasons, the Agency for Defense Development and the defense ministry refused to provide detailed information about the submarine's overall capability.
These recent military efforts are in line with South Korea's defense blueprint for the year 2022-2026, which was released by the defense ministry.
One of the main highlights of the plan is to develop advanced missiles with, in its own words, "significantly enhanced destructive power".
Before South Korea has started testing its submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the only countries with such military capabilities are the United States, Russia, China, India, Britain and France.
These countries are known for their large arsenals of nuclear weapons, which are typically used to enhance their SLBM might.
The latest missile that South Korea has launched was codenamed "Hyunmoo 4-4", and according to reports, it is believed that it is actually a variant of the "Hyunmoo-2B" ballistic missile.
One of the major reasons why South Korea is working double-time to boost its military power is to deter its nuclear-powered neighbor, North Korea.
The hermit North has launched numerous nuclear missile tests in the past years, and while there were hits and misses in its tests, it is clear that North Korea is progressing on its own nuclear ambitions.
In fact, it has successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which, experts say, have the potential to reach the U.S. And with only borders separating North Korea and South Korea, the South has all the reasons not to be complacent with its neighbor's capabilities.
Another reason why South Korea is developing its military power is to decrease its dependence on the U.S. military. Currently, there are thousands of U.S. military forces stationed in the South.
