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S. Korean developing longer-range missiles without U.S. approval

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, January 18, 2001

TOKYO — South Korea, refusing to wait for authorization from the Clinton administration, has launched a missile program meant to provide capability to strike targets in most of the communist north.

The program, South Korean officials said, would be independent and remain off-limits to U.S. inspection.

This, they said is a departure from Seoul's 50-year alliance with Washington, which currently includes the deployment of 37,000 troops in the East Asian country.

Officials said Seoul has reached an agreement in principle with Washington on a ceiling for the range of the missiles. They said this was sufficient for a government decision to begin a program that will build missiles with a range of 300 kilometers and a warhead payload of 500 kilograms. They said this was the minimum required to counter North Korea's military threat.

This new missile range and payload being developed is allowed by the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime, an agreement Seoul has pledged to join. A 1979 agreement with Washington limits South Korean missiles to 180 kilometers.

The Clinton administration did not respond to the South Korean decision.

U.S. officials said talks with Seoul focused on a proposal by Washington to monitor South Korea's missile program.

Seoul also asked Washington to provide technology for South Korea's missile program. It is not clear whether Seoul's independent missile program constitutes a decision to abandon efforts for U.S. aid.

The Seoul-based Yonhap news agency reported that South Korea has decided against granting the United States automatic access to South Korean missile facilities. The agency said Seoul plans to focus on the development of liquid-fuel rockets to launch satellites, cruise missiles and unmanned air vehicles loaded with explosives.

In a related development, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is reported to be on a secret visit to China. Jong-Il is said to have arrived in Beijing on Tuesday in his second known trip abroad in 18 years.

Thursday, January 18, 2001


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