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SKorea deploys long-range cruise missiles: report
Seoul (AFP) Oct 15, 2009 South Korea has deployed new longer-range cruise missiles that could reach not only North Korea but also parts of China and Japan, a news report said Thursday. Munhwa Ilbo newspaper said Seoul began mass-producing the "Hyunmu-3" missiles with a range of 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) early this year. The paper, quoting US and South Korean government sources, said the missile was developed in 2006 and tested for two years before being deployed. "Its development and deployment had been kept confidential because Japan, China and other neighbouring nations could react sensitively," the source said. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) would neither confirm nor deny the Munhwa report. The defence ministry declined to comment. South Korea has pushed for longer-range weaponry to counter a threat from hundreds of North Korean ballistic missiles. Under an agreement with the United States, which stations 28,500 troops in South Korea and guarantees a nuclear "umbrella" in case of war, Seoul limits its ballistic missiles to a maximum range of 300 km. But Seoul officials say the agreement does not apply to cruise missiles which fly at moderate speed and at low altitude, following the terrain. South Korea's first Aegis-equipped destroyer the King Sejong is already equipped with cruise missiles. Munhwa said these have a range of 500 km. The paper said development of a 1,500-km cruise missile is underway. DAPA chief Byun Moo-Keun said last week his group was conducting research into a missile with a range of more than 500 km. Last month General Lee Sang-Eui, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Seoul should seek longer-range missiles to deter North Korean threats. But in July General Walter Sharp, commander of US forces in South Korea, said he saw no immediate need for South Korea to develop such longer-range projectiles. 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 nations have remained technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict ended with just an armistice and not a peace treaty. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Taiwan carries out largest-ever missile test: reportsTaipei (AFP) Oct 14, 2009 Taiwan has carried out its largest-ever missile exercise, less than a fortnight after China showed off advanced ballistic weaponry in a massive National Day parade, local media said Wednesday. The missiles were launched on Tuesday from the secretive and tightly guarded Chiupeng base in southern Taiwan and could strike major Chinese cities, the United Daily News reported. President Ma Yin ... read more |
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