‘Combat ready’: Inside Korea’s Cheongung-II missile defense unit

Air Force personnel raise a Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile launcher during a training demonstration at Air Force Unit 8146 in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. The interceptor system is part of Korea’s multilayered missile defense network against ballistic missile threats. Joint Press Corps

SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province — Sirens echoed as members of an Air Force missile defense unit rushed toward Cheongung-II launchers during a simulated ballistic missile interception drill, Wednesday.

As the warning sounded, soldiers quickly moved into position around the launch vehicles, activating power systems and checking equipment status.

Inside the control center, personnel relayed simulated alerts based on a North Korean ballistic missile launch scenario, while troops repeated procedures they appeared to know by heart.

The Air Force opened the missile defense site to reporters this week as part of a media tour at Sacheon Air Base, offering a rare look inside one of the military’s frontline missile defense units.

The Cheongung-II system, also known as KM-SAM Block II, is one of the key components of Korea’s multilayered missile defense network designed to detect, track and intercept incoming ballistic missile threats.

Even while troops moved around the launchers, interception procedures continued inside the system.

Under normal conditions, the interceptors remain in standby mode and disconnected from power sources. Once electricity is supplied and remote-control procedures are completed, however, the system can shift into combat-ready status within minutes.

“Moving from the lowest readiness condition to the highest stage takes roughly 10 minutes,” a high-ranking Air Force officer said during the tour.

“If there are signs of possible threat, we move much faster.”

The officer added that the Air Force immediately raises its readiness posture even when North Korea launches missiles toward the East Sea, noting that a sudden trajectory change could quickly alter the threat assessment.

Standing near the launchers, Air Force officials explained how the interceptors are fired using a cold-launch system.

Air Force personnel carry out launcher operation procedures for the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system during a training demonstration at Air Force Unit 8146 in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps

Instead of igniting immediately inside the launcher, the missile is first pushed upward using compressed nitrogen gas before adjusting direction in midair and activating its propulsion system.

“After its direction is controlled through thrust-vector adjustments, the missile flies toward the target at around five times the speed of sound,” another officer said.

On a hill overlooking the site stood the Cheongung-II radar system, which officials described as the “eyes” of the missile defense battery.

Once launch procedures begin, personnel near the launchers immediately withdraw from the area. From that point on, interception and launch controls are handled remotely from the control center.

Wednesday’s demonstration simulated an actual combat engagement scenario, including emergency alerts and launcher activation procedures.

The Air Force said it is continuing to expand deployment of the Cheongung-II system as North Korea advances its nuclear and missile capabilities.

Officials also said earlier-generation Cheongung-I systems are being upgraded to a similar operational standard as the newer interceptor.

Lt. Col. Lee Su-hwan, commander of an Air Force missile defense battalion, said the system has attracted growing international attention because of its performance.

“The Cheongung-II we operate has demonstrated capabilities strong enough that multiple countries are pursuing its introduction,” Lee said.

“We conduct realistic training every day to defend the country against North Korea’s increasingly advanced nuclear and missile threats.”

The atmosphere inside the unit felt closer to an actual operation than a routine exercise.

Once the sirens began, troops exchanged few words beyond short commands. Around the launchers, only the sounds of machinery and radio communications filled the air.

The sense of tension eased only after the control center announced the simulated engagement had ended.

The Air Force is currently building a multilayered missile defense structure linking Cheongung-II with Patriot PAC-3 interceptors and the long-range surface-to-air missile system, or L-SAM.

For a few hours inside the missile defense site at Sacheon, the Air Force offered a glimpse of how it prepares for the possibility of a real ballistic missile attack.