Text Fwd: S. Korea Seeks to Boost Missile Capabilities

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S. Korea Seeks to Boost Missile Capabilities
By JUNG SUNG-KI
Published: 6 Apr 16:15 EDT (20:15 GMT)

SEOUL - In an apparent move to capitalize on North Korea's provocative rocket launch on April 5, South Korea has moved to increase its missile development capacity and bolster its missile-defense system.

In a National Assembly session April 6, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo hinted that his government would consult with the U.S. to revise guidelines restricting the country's missile technology.

With North Korean missile threats growing, "we should review if it is right or not that our missile sovereignty is restricted," Han said, referring to a 2001 agreement that prevents Seoul from building missiles with ranges exceeding 300 kilometers. "I think now is the time to discuss the issue at the defense ministers' talks between South Korea and the United States."

South Korea restricted its missile range to 180 kilometers in a 1979 agreement with the U.S., in which Washington offered technology to support Seoul's prescribed missile systems. Wary of advances in North Korean missile capabilities, Seoul notified Washington in 1995 that it wished to adjust these restrictions.

After five years of consultations, the two sides agreed on new guidelines permitting the range of Seoul's missiles to 300 kilometers. At the same time, the U.S. declared it would support South Korea's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

The MTCR is an informal and voluntary regime of more than 30 countries that seeks to limit missile proliferation by restricting exports of missiles having a range of 300 kilometers or more, and capable of delivering a 500-kilogram payload.

Right after North Korea test-fired several missiles in 2006, including a Taepodong-2 ballistic missile, South Korea's defense minister announced an intent to develop a long-range cruise missile, which doesn't violate the MTCR because that regime only applies to high-velocity, free flight ballistic missiles, and excludes slower, surface-skimming cruise weapons.

Some reports said South Korea's state-funded Agency for Defense Development has already developed a 1,500-kilometer-range cruise missile, but military authorities have neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee said in a April 5 National Assembly session that his military is considering buying Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile interceptors in the coming years as part of efforts to boost the country's air defense capability.

"By 2012, advanced radar systems will be put in place here, and the PAC-3 ground-to-air interceptor is in consideration for a low-altitude missile shield," Lee said.

It was the first time a South Korean defense chief has made public plans to purchase the up-to-date PAC-3 system.

Seoul had initially pushed for introducing the PAC-3 interceptor earlier in this decade. But it changed its decision due to financial constraints and anti-U.S. sentiments propelled by civic groups claiming the PAC-3 purchase was a step toward joining the U.S.-led global ballistic missile defense system.

South Korea is now receiving 48 secondhand PAC-2 launch modules, radars and missiles, including the Patriot Anti-Tactical Missile and Guidance Enhanced Missile Plus (GEM+), from Germany under a 2007 deal valued at $1 billion. The systems are to enter service by 2010.

Most defense experts here have called for introducing the PAC-3 system, at least to help increase interoperability between South Korea's indigenous low-tier missile shield and the U.S. regional missile defense system in which Japan participates.