S. Korea, U.S. to discuss missile development: officials

(ATTN: IDENTIFIES U.S. official in para 6; UPDATES U.S. confirmation; TRIMS; ADDS
background)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States will likely discuss
allowing Seoul to develop more advanced missiles in future security talks as
North Korea continues to heighten its missile threat, an official said Tuesday.
South Korea has an agreement with the U.S. -- its foremost ally that has 28,500
troops stationed here -- not to build missiles that can fly over 300km with a
payload of 500kg due to proliferation concerns.
The ban that has been in place since 2001 recently came under criticism here as
North Korea continues to push ahead with its own development by testing a barrage
of missiles and launching a rocket that could theoretically reach Alaska.
"I believe the issue can be discussed between working-level officials of the
United States and South Korea," Won Tae-jae, spokesman for the defense ministry
in Seoul, told reporters.
The two allies hold such talks every two months, while the Security Consultative
Meeting between their defense ministers is scheduled for October.
Won's comment came after Maj. Gen. Frank Panter, Assistant Chief of Staff at the
U.S. Forces Korea, indicated last week in a meeting with South Korean lawmakers'
aides that his country will consider allowing the Asian ally to extend the
missile range.
North Korea is believed to have about 800 missiles, including Taepodong-2s
theoretically capable of flying over 6,700km. It has recently deployed
medium-range ones with an estimated range of 1,300km while its scuds can fly
several hundreds of kilometers, according to the South Korean defense ministry.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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