U.S., S. Korea close to missile deal

TOKYO -- The United States and South Korea are close to concluding a deal on South Korean missiles, following talks in Hawaii.

South Korean officials said the United States has already agreed in principle to allow South Korea to extend its missile range.

"Seoul and Washington share the view that the range of South Korea's ballistic missiles should be extended to a level required to meet the demand of national security," Song Min-soon, head of the Foreign Ministry's North American affairs told reporters before leaving for Honolulu. "Both sides have ironed out major differences in technical issues," he said.

Song said the remaining issues are mostly minor, and likely to be solved during the next round of talks.

Song and Robert Einhorn, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Non-Proliferation, will meet to finalize details over U.S. demands that Seoul guarantee access to each phase of missile research and development.

In 1998, the U.S. allowed Seoul to develop a missile with a range of up to 187 miles [300 km]. But Seoul says it needs to have a missile arsenal with a range of 312 miles [500 km], to defend against the growing missile threat from North Korea.

North Korea has harshly criticized the U.S. for supporting the South Korean demand to develop longer-range missile. Pyongyang has threatened to resume testing the Taepo-dong II long-range ballistic missile.