South Korea Boosts Air Defenses with Upgraded System to Intercept Ballistic Missiles

South Korea has taken a major step forward in strengthening its air defenses by upgrading its Cheongung-I missile system to the more advanced Cheongung-II, which is now capable of intercepting both aircraft and ballistic missiles. The announcement was made by the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) earlier this week.

This upgraded version has already started its initial deployment with the South Korean military, and full-scale deployment is expected to be completed by 2027.

The original Cheongung-I system was designed mainly to defend against hostile aircraft. However, it couldn’t handle ballistic missile threats, which have become a rising concern—especially with North Korea's frequent missile tests. The new Cheongung-II fills that gap by providing medium-altitude interception capability using advanced radar, guidance systems, and high-speed interceptors.

One of the biggest advantages of this upgrade is its cost-effectiveness. Instead of building entirely new systems, South Korea is retrofitting existing Cheongung-I units to bring them up to Cheongung-II standards. This helps speed up deployment while saving money.

The Cheongung-II system has been in development since 2012, shortly after the original version was completed. It was declared combat-ready in 2017 after passing a series of qualification tests that met all performance standards.

Developers say the improved system features faster missiles, greater range, and precision targeting—all of which enable it to hit ballistic targets in real-time. It also works autonomously and fits into the broader command-and-control network used by South Korea’s armed forces.

Cheongung-II is now a central part of South Korea’s Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system—a multi-layered shield designed to counter growing missile threats in the region.

The system has also gained attention overseas. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have purchased the Cheongung system for their own air defense needs, highlighting the growing global interest in South Korea’s defense technology.

While DAPA has not revealed how many Cheongung-II systems are currently in service, it confirmed that the rollout will continue in stages until all units are fully upgraded and integrated across the military.