Seoul: South Korea’s top arms procurement official said Thursday his agency has begun research into developing longer-range ballistic missiles capable of putting all of North Korea in striking range.
Byun Moo-Keun, head of the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration, said his group was conducting research into a missile with a range of more than 500 kilometres (305 miles).
He confirmed the plan in response to a question from parliamentarians during a televised meeting, but declined to give details, saying “it is a matter which warrants security.”
Under an agreement with the United States
, which stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, Seoul restricts its missiles to a maximum range of 300 kilometres.
There have been calls to end the pact since North Korea launched a long-range rocket in April and staged its second nuclear test in May.
General Lee Sang-Eui, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month that South Korea should seek longer-range missiles to deter threats from North Korea.
But in July General Walter Sharp, commander of US forces in South Korea, said he saw no immediate need for South Korea to develop longer-range missiles.
The North has about 600 Scud missiles capable of hitting targets in South Korea, and possibly also of reaching Japanese territory in some cases.
There are another 200 Rodong-1 missiles which could reach Tokyo.
In addition the North has three times test-launched long-range Taepodong missiles, most recently in April.
The two Koreas have remained technically at war since their 1950-53 war ended with an armistice and not a peace treaty.
