South Korea prepares for rising tensions with North Korea's military.

Photo: AP File

South Korea will start deploying drone-melting laser weapons this year, specifically designed to target North Korean UAVs, according to the country’s arms procurement agency, DAPA, in a statement to AFP on Friday.

These new laser systems, known as the "Star Wars Project," are invisible and operate silently, requiring no additional ammunition as they function solely on electricity. Each shot costs about 2,000 won (approximately $1.45). The "Block-I" system, developed by Hanwha Aerospace, is set to enter operational deployment within the military this year, as confirmed by DAPA official Lee Sang-yoon.

The ongoing tension between the two Koreas persists, as they remain technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. This situation was highlighted in December 2022 when five North Korean drones crossed into South Korean airspace, marking the first such incident in five years. The South Korean military responded by firing warning shots and deploying fighter jets, but they were unable to shoot down the intruding drones.

DAPA stated that the new laser weapons system will significantly enhance South Korea's ability to respond to North Korean drone provocations. The system has demonstrated a 100 percent shoot-down rate in previous tests and, with future improvements, it could evolve into a "game-changing" asset capable of countering not only drones but also aircraft and ballistic missiles in the future.

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