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South Korea to get longer-range missiles under new deal with US South Korea to get longer-range missiles under new deal with US
(about 3 hours later)
The United States has agreed to allow South Korea to possess longer-range missiles that could strike anywhere in North Korea, officials said on Sunday, a development expected to draw an angry response from Pyongyang. The US has agreed to allow South Korea to possess longer-range missiles that could strike anywhere in North Korea, officials said on Sunday, a development expected to draw an angry response from Pyongyang.
Under a 2001 accord with Washington, South Korea has been barred from developing and deploying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 300km (186 miles) and a payload of more than 500kg (1,100lb) to avert a regional arms race. The restriction has made its missile capability inferior to that of the North and put key military sites out of range.Under a 2001 accord with Washington, South Korea has been barred from developing and deploying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 300km (186 miles) and a payload of more than 500kg (1,100lb) to avert a regional arms race. The restriction has made its missile capability inferior to that of the North and put key military sites out of range.
South Korea announced on Sunday that the US accord has been altered to allow the South to have ballistic missiles with a range of up to 800km to cope with the North's nuclear and missile threats. South Korea announced on Sunday that the US accord had been altered to allow the South to have ballistic missiles with a range of up to 800km to cope with the North's nuclear and missile threats.
Under the new agreement, South Korea will continue to limit the payload to 500kg for ballistic missiles with an 800-km range, but it will be able to use heavier payloads for missiles with shorter ranges, Chun Yung-woo South Korea's security minister, told a news conference. The heavier a payload is, the more destructive power it can have. Under the new agreement, South Korea will continue to limit the payload to 500kg for ballistic missiles with an 800km range, but it will be able to use heavier payloads for missiles with shorter ranges, said Chun Yung-woo, South Korea's security minister. The heavier a payload is, the more destructive power it can have.
"The most important objective for our government in revising the missile guideline is to contain North Korea's armed provocation," Chun said."The most important objective for our government in revising the missile guideline is to contain North Korea's armed provocation," Chun said.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement that it will greatly increase its missile capability under the new accord, adding that South Korea will be able to "strike all of North Korea, even from southern areas". The defence ministry said it would greatly increase its missile capability under the new accord, adding that South Korea would be able to "strike all of North Korea, even from southern areas".
The deal also will allow South Korea to operate drone aircraft carrying payloads of up to 2,500kg (5,510lb) with a range of more than 300 km. It places no restriction on payloads for drones with a flying distance of less than 300km. The deal also will allow South Korea to operate drone aircraft carrying payloads of up to 2,500kg (5,510lb) with a range of more than 300km. It places no restriction on payloads for drones with a flying distance of less than 300km.
South Korea can also possess cruise missiles with an unlimited range – as long as their payload is less than 500kg. South Korea can also possess cruise missiles with an unlimited range as long as their payload is less than 500kg.
Media reports say the South has deployed cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,000km, but officials have refused to confirm that.Media reports say the South has deployed cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,000km, but officials have refused to confirm that.
Cruise missiles fly at a lower altitude and slower speed than ballistic missiles, making them easier to intercept, although they are considered more accurate.Cruise missiles fly at a lower altitude and slower speed than ballistic missiles, making them easier to intercept, although they are considered more accurate.
North Korean state media didn't respond immediately to the news, but analysts expected they would issue a harsh statement. "North Korea will say South Korea's missile development is a preparation for war. It will likely warn that South Korea cannot avoid a nuclear disaster if it moves to attack North Korean missile bases," said analyst Baek Seung-joo of the state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul. North Korean state media did not respond immediately to the news, but analysts expected they would issue a harsh statement. Baek Seung-joo, of the state-run Korea Institute for Defence Analyses in Seoul, said: "North Korea will say South Korea's missile development is a preparation for war. It will likely warn that South Korea cannot avoid a nuclear disaster if it moves to attack North Korean missile bases."
North Korea has missiles that can hit South Korea, Japan and the US Pacific territory of Guam, according to Seoul's Defense Ministry. In April, the country conducted a long-range rocket test that Washington, Seoul and others called a cover for a test of long-range missile technology. North Korea says the rocket, which broke apart shortly after liftoff, was meant to launch a satellite. North Korea has missiles that can hit South Korea, Japan and the US Pacific territory of Guam, according to Seoul's defence ministry. In April the country conducted a long-range rocket test that Washington, Seoul and others called a cover for a test of long-range missile technology. North Korea says the rocket, which broke apart shortly after liftoff, was meant to launch a satellite.
North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, but experts don't believe it has yet mastered the technology needed to mount a nuclear weapon on a missile. North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, but experts do not believe it has yet mastered the technology needed to mount a nuclear weapon on a missile.
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