This paper is an attempt to evaluate the threat of North Korea's first Hwasung -8 hypersonic missile development test in 2021 and the launch of a hypersonic missile test that continues in January 2022. Through a study on the current status, purpose, and capability of North Korea's hypersonic missile development, the status and threats of North Korea's hypersonic missile development were evaluated, and the countermeasures of the South Korean military were reviewed. The development of hypersonic missiles is a new weapon system currently being developed in some advanced countries such as the United States, Russia, and China, and is called a game changer of war because it cannot be defended with a general ballistic missile defense system. So the fact that North Korea test-fired a hypersonic missile is a big shock to South Korea. North Korea is carrying out hypersonic missile development activities to cope with threats from the United States and South Korea, but North Korea's advanced missile power is a big threat. North Korea's development of hypersonic missiles should establish countermeasures through objective evaluation of South Korea's missile defense network. Hypersonic missiles have difficulty in establishing a response weapon system in terms of their capabilities such as speed and maneuver with general ballistic missiles. North Korea's development of hypersonic missiles poses a threat to South Korea's peace and security, so it is necessary to respond. First, South Korea should analyze North Korea's intention to develop hypersonic missiles and threats. Second, South Korea should strengthen its missile power to take the lead in the hypersonic missile development competition with North Korea and respond to North Korea's hypersonic missile development. This study is meaningful in that it analyzes North Korea's hypersonic missile development and testing process and threats to South Korea and neighboring countries, and studies countermeasures of the South Korean military. Access to results such as North Korea's hypersonic missile flight data was limited, limiting detailed analysis of North Korea's hypersonic missile capabilities. However, it will be able to give a consensus on the promotion of in-depth research on the development of supersonic missiles in North Korea in the future.

Abstract

I.;Introduction

II. The concept and analysis method of hypersonic missiles
1. Hypersonic missile concept and preliminary research review
2. Hypersonic missile development and international control regime
3. Research Scope and Subject

III. Threat Analysis of North Korea's Hypersonic Missile Development
1. North Korea's hypersonic missiles development
(1) The first hypersonic missile test (September 28, 2021)
(2) The second Hypersonic Missile Test Launch (January 5, 2022)
(3) The third hypersonic missile test launch (January 11, 2022)
2. Analysis and evaluation of North Korea’s threat to develop hypersonic missiles
(1) The military purpose of developing hypersonic missiles
(2) Hypersonic missile capability.
(3) Hypersonic missiles for military operations.

IV. The South Korean military's countermeasures

V. Conclusion

References