S. Korea to complete defense against nuclear electromagnetic waves by 2014

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will spend tens of billions of won to build
defenses by 2014 against the threat of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) waves
unleashed by a nuclear blast, officials said Friday.

The plan for the construction of anti-EMP facilities was recently inserted into a
long-term defense reform plan after North Korea went ahead with its second
nuclear test on May 25, Brig. Gen. Jang Gi-yoon said.
"The spending will not top 100 billion won (US$78 million)," Jang said in a
briefing, declining to specify the figure. He also did not share with reporters
the number of anti-EMP facilities will be set up.
An EMP is generated from a nuclear explosion and can lead to the shutdown of all
electronic equipment, including weapons systems, operating within hundreds or
even thousands of kilometers, Jang said.
The two Koreas technically remain at war, as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a
truce rather than a peace treaty.
North Korea has recently warned of nuclear warfare, accusing the U.S. of
harboring plans for a nuclear assault and orchestrating international sanctions
on Pyongyang.
Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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