North and South Korea Escalate Hypersonic Missile Arms Race

North and South Korea are engaged in an intensifying arms race centered on the development of hypersonic missiles and drone swarms. The Government of North Korea recently launched a nuclear-capable ballistic missile that Pyongyang claims performed wavelike maneuvers. Five days later, South Korea responded by test-firing its own first hypersonic ballistic missile.

This escalation is supported by a revitalized military partnership between North Korea and Russia. Russia is providing training for drone operators and battlefield data from the war in Ukraine in exchange for soldiers and arms. Consequently, North Korea has begun mass-producing drones and recently launched a bunker-buster missile.

In response to these threats, South Korea is increasing its defense spending to 3.5 percent of its GDP. The South Korean government is strengthening its strategy of massive retaliation and pre-emptive strikes while maintaining reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for deterrence.