South Korea has successfully launched a new ballistic missile able to strike North Korea 0404141.

Defence & Security News - South Korea

South Korea has been developing new missiles since Washington and Seoul revised their defense treaty in 2012 to allow it to extend the maximum range of its ballistic missiles from 300 km to 800 km to cope better with North Korea’s growing missile and nuclear threats.

South Korea currently operates 300-km Hyunmoo ballistic missiles, and has been developing longer range missiles to beef up its defense against Pyongyang under a new missile deal with the United States.

In 1986, South Korea succeeded in a test-launch in the current capacity with a payload of 480 kg and a range of 180 km. A new cruise missile was recently unveiled, named Hyunmoo-3, which is very similar to the American Tomahawk. The Hyunmoo-3C has an increased range of 1,500 km.

Following the deployment of the 500-km range missile, the military plans to develop an 800-km missile with a payload of 500 kg and test-fire it next year, the official said.

North Korea has deployed short- and medium-range missiles and is developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

North Korea last week fired a mid-range ballistic Rodong missile that fell into the sea off its east coast after flying about 650 km and short of its maximum range, thought to be about 1,300 km, and enough to hit much of Japan.