South Korea develops cruise missile targeting North Korea and beyond

Oct 24, 2006, 13:51 GMT

Seoul - The South Korean military has developed a cruise missile which can reach not only targets in North Korea but parts of Japan, China and Russia as well, reports said Tuesday.

The missile with a range of 1,000 kilometres has already been 'successfully' tested, South Korean media reported, citing government officials in Seoul.

It could hit North Korean rocket launching pads in remote mountainous regions, according to the reports.

However, the South Korean defence ministry had not officially confirmed the reports for fear of provoking neighbouring countries, sources said.

The reports of the successful tests come only two weeks after North Korea's first nuclear test which racked up tension in the region.

In July, North Korea had without warning tested seven ballistic missiles including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile which can reach parts of the United States.

Tuesday's reports said that together with the national Agency for Defence Development, South Korean forces were already developing a new cruise missile with a range of 1,500 kilometres.

In terms of range, the latest model already surpasses all ballistic missiles in the South Korean military's arsenal.

Only in September did South Korea reveal that it had developed a cruise missile called Cheonryong (Heavenly Dragon) with a range of 500 kilometres.