North Korea extending missile range

North Korea has begun making and deploying new intermediate-range ballistic missiles that could reach US military targets in Okinawa, Japan and the Pacific US territory of Guam, South Korea’s Defence Ministry said.

Since last year, South Korean and Japanese news media, citing anonymous intelligence sources, have reported North Korea’s development of a new missile with a 1,860-2,500 mile range.

Giving evidence to parliament’s National Defence Committee, South Korea’s Defence Minister Cho Young-kil said those missiles had already been deployed.

“North Korea is continuing its missile development, engaging in such activities as engine tests,” Cho was quoted as saying.

North Korea’s vigorous missile development unsettles the region.

The US military in South Korea has begun deploying new Patriot missiles designed to intercept incoming missiles.

Last year, Japan launched its first spy satellites in a multi-billion dollar program aimed at monitoring North Korea’s development of long-range missiles.

The North is believed to have stockpiled 600 Scud missiles with ranges of between 187 miles and 312 miles and 100 Rodong-1 missiles with a range of 812 miles.