<p>A new South Korean anti-ballistic missile system conducted its first successful intercept this month, media reports said on Tuesday, the country's latest step in boosting its defences against North Korean missiles.</p>.<p>The L-SAM interceptor destroyed a target for the first time in a test, according to the <em>Dong-a Ilbo</em> newspaper and <em>Yonhap</em> news agency, which cited unnamed government and military sources without specifying the date. The test also involved a version of the L-SAM designed to shoot down aircraft.</p>.<p>South Korea's Ministry of Defense, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Agency for Defense Development, which rarely publicize weapons tests, declined to confirm the report.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/india-condemns-recent-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-launch-by-north-korea-1164612.html" target="_blank">India condemns recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch by North Korea</a></strong></p>.<p>North Korea has tested a record number of missiles this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday. South Korea, the United States, and Japan are all seeking to enhance missile defence systems.</p>.<p>The L-SAM is a "cutting-edge indigenous weapon system" under development to defend against missiles and other high-flying threats, according to the ADD.</p>.<p>The missile was first successfully flight tested - which did not involve hitting a target - in February.</p>.<p>It is designed to be part of a "layered defence network" that already includes US-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and locally produced Cheongung II KM-SAM medium-range weapons, capable of intercepting targets at varying altitudes and ranges.</p>.<p>Plans call for L-SAM to target incoming missiles at altitudes of 50-60 kilometres (30-37 miles), and it is due to become operational by 2026.</p>.<p>South Korea also hosts US military THAAD anti-missile batteries, and as a candidate, President Yoon Suk-yeol had called for more of those batteries.</p>.<p>However, he has since focused on South Korean systems for boosting defences.</p>
<p>A new South Korean anti-ballistic missile system conducted its first successful intercept this month, media reports said on Tuesday, the country's latest step in boosting its defences against North Korean missiles.</p>.<p>The L-SAM interceptor destroyed a target for the first time in a test, according to the <em>Dong-a Ilbo</em> newspaper and <em>Yonhap</em> news agency, which cited unnamed government and military sources without specifying the date. The test also involved a version of the L-SAM designed to shoot down aircraft.</p>.<p>South Korea's Ministry of Defense, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Agency for Defense Development, which rarely publicize weapons tests, declined to confirm the report.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/india-condemns-recent-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-launch-by-north-korea-1164612.html" target="_blank">India condemns recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch by North Korea</a></strong></p>.<p>North Korea has tested a record number of missiles this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday. South Korea, the United States, and Japan are all seeking to enhance missile defence systems.</p>.<p>The L-SAM is a "cutting-edge indigenous weapon system" under development to defend against missiles and other high-flying threats, according to the ADD.</p>.<p>The missile was first successfully flight tested - which did not involve hitting a target - in February.</p>.<p>It is designed to be part of a "layered defence network" that already includes US-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and locally produced Cheongung II KM-SAM medium-range weapons, capable of intercepting targets at varying altitudes and ranges.</p>.<p>Plans call for L-SAM to target incoming missiles at altitudes of 50-60 kilometres (30-37 miles), and it is due to become operational by 2026.</p>.<p>South Korea also hosts US military THAAD anti-missile batteries, and as a candidate, President Yoon Suk-yeol had called for more of those batteries.</p>.<p>However, he has since focused on South Korean systems for boosting defences.</p>