South Korea Ballistic Missile Range Guidelines Explained

In 1979, South Korea agreed to ballistic missile guidelines, limiting the country's ballistic missile development and possession to 180 km in range.[1]

In 2001, United States officials agreed to extend the range limit to 300 km, which only applied to high-velocity, free flight ballistic missiles, excluding slower, surface-skimming cruise weapons. South Korea developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and cruise missile called Hyunmoo-3. The UAV would not have any limitation in range while the cruise missile's range was 1500 kilometers (930 miles).[2] [3] South Korea's missile ranges were less than North Korea's missiles such as Rodong (1300 kilometer-ranged ballistic missile) and Taepodong-2 (6000 kilometer-ranged intercontinental ballistic missile).[4]

On October 6, 2012, after numerous caucuses between South Korea and the U.S., both agreed to extend the ballistic missile range to 800 km.[2] This was shorter than the range South Korea suggested (1000 kilometers) but much longer than the existing 300 km limit.[5] [6]

After the latest missile guideline extension, one particular Chinese media reported that South Korea's ballistic missiles would gain the capability to reach China, Japan, and Russia as well as North Korea. The media showed concerns over the possibility of a South Korean attack on Beijing, should the South's missile range be extended. Another Chinese media outlet, Xinhua, evaluated that the extension of the missile range as a violation against the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).[7] Japan raised concerns of heightened resistance by North Korea.[8] The Russian Department of External Affairs opposed the extension of South Korea's missile range, through the column of Alexander Lukashcvich, spokesperson of Department of External Affairs.[9] North Korea stated that they would strengthen their military force in response to the extension. North Korea stated that their rockets were capable of reaching South Korea, Japan, Guam, and even the US. North Korea also said they would ‘respond to nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons, and respond to missiles with missiles’ as stated by the National Defense Committee. The National Defense Committee also stated the only thing left was resolute action and that they would show the world an ‘unimaginable war’.[10] Jay Carney, the spokesperson of the White House, briefed that the agreement for extending the missile range was to improve South Korea's defense capacity to face the threats of North Korea's ballistic missiles. He also emphasized that the alliance between the U.S. and South Korea focused on the mission to keep the Korean peninsula, and Southeast Asia safe, and the U.S. would keep to their pledge of defending South Korea steadily.[11]

In 2017 South Korea tested an 800 km range Hyunmoo-2C missile.[12]

On 4 September 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed “in principle” to scrap a warhead weight limit on South Korea's missiles in the wake of North Korea's sixth nuclear test.[13]

On May 21, 2021, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to completely abolish missile guidelines, allowing South Korea to develop and possess any type of missile, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and advanced submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).[14] [15]

Summary Chart

South Korea Ballistic Missile Range Limits
Year Range Payload Use of solid-fuel
1979-2001180 km 500 kg All
2001-2012300 km500 kg All
2012-2017800 km500 kg All
2017-2020800 kmUnlimited All
2020-2021.5800 kmUnlimited Military
2021.5-presentAbolished

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 김. 광수. 한국 미사일 사거리 800km로 늘린다. 11 July 2013. Hankook Ilbo.
  2. News: Choe. Sang-Hun. U.S. Agrees to Let South Korea Extend Range of Ballistic Missiles. 11 July 2013. The New York Times. 7 October 2012.
  3. News: Eshel. Tamir. Hyunmoo Missiles – Seoul Going Ballistic. 11 July 2013. Defense Update.
  4. News: Davenport. Kelsey. South Korea Extends Missile Range. 11 July 2013. Arms Control Association.
  5. News: 윤. 상호. 美 국방 "한국 미사일 사거리 연장 상당한 진전". 11 July 2013. DongA News.
  6. News: Dudley. Richard. US and South Korea Agree to Extend Missile Range. 11 July 2013. Defense Update.
  7. News: 박. 희준. 中신화"한국 탄도미사일 사거리 연장은 MTCR위배". 11 July 2013. 아시아경제.
  8. News: 박. 철원. 일, 한국 미사일 사거리 연장에 "경계". 11 July 2013. YTN.
  9. News: 러시아, 한국 미사일 사거리 연장에 우려 표명(종합). 11 July 2013. Yonhap News Agency.
  10. News: 김. 근삼. 북한, 한국 미사일 사거리 연장 강력 비난…한국·버마 정상회담, 경제협력 논의. 11 July 2013. Voice of America.
  11. News: 윤. 국한. 백악관 "한국 미사일 사거리 연장, 합당한 조치". 11 July 2013. Voice of America.
  12. News: South Korea Test Fires New Ballistic Missile . Gady . Franz-Stefan . The Diplomat . 7 April 2017 . 14 July 2017.
  13. News: Trump agrees 'in principle' to scrap South Korean warhead weight limit - White House . Reuters News . 4 September 2017 . 5 September 2017.
  14. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/05/25/us-lifts-missile-restrictions-on-south-korea-ending-range-and-warhead-limits/ US lifts missile restrictions on South Korea, ending range and warhead limits
  15. Web site: (News Focus) Lifting of U.S. Missile restrictions signifies Seoul's missile sovereignty, Washington's China strategy: Experts. 22 May 2021.