In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, a US Air Force B-1B bomber (sixth from top left) South Korean Air Force F-35 fighter jets and US Air Force F-16 fighter jets (left) fly over South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea on Nov 19, 2022. (SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTRY VIA AP)

SEOUL - 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 defenses.

The L-SAM interceptor destroyed a target for the first time in a test, according to the Dong-a Ilbo newspaper and Yonhap 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.

The L-SAM interceptor is a "cutting-edge indigenous weapon system" under development to defend against missiles and other high-flying threats, according to Agency for Defense Development

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.

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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.

The missile was first successfully flight tested - which did not involve hitting a target - in February.

It is designed to be part of a "layered defense 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.

Plans call for L-SAM to target incoming missiles at altitudes of 50-60 kilometers, and it is due to become operational by 2026.

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.

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However, he has since focused on South Korean systems for boosting defenses.