By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

The Agency for Defense Development is developing the technology to build electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and high-power microwave (HPM) weapons, an official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday.

The agency plans to complete the development of indigenous bombs by 2015, Maj. Gen. Lee Kyu-sang, chief of the JCS command-and-control bureau, said during a National Assembly inspection of the Ministry of National Defense and JCS.

EMP and HMP bombs offer a significant capability against electronic equipment susceptible to damage by transient power surges.

For example, an EMP attack, generated by a very short, intense energy pulse or high-altitude nuclear blast, is known to be capable of crippling an enemy's command-and-control and communications systems or anti-aircraft radar systems.

Also known as the ``E-bomb,'' the HPM is designed to zap electronics, scramble computer programs and fry communications links. This type of electromagnetic pulse weapon is a warhead that, when explodes, emits a high-energy pulse that will fuse electrical equipment within a given range. E-bombs can unleash in a flash as much electrical power ― 2 billion watts or more ― equal to the electricity the Hoover Dam generates in 24 hours.

``An EMP attack could seriously damage electronic and communications equipment. The United States is developing the bomb and expected to complete this by 2010,'' said Lee.

Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee said his military is also preparing to deal with a potential EMP attack by North Korea. Lee said however, he has not obtained intelligence indicating the North is developing such a weapon.

``Our military will come up with proper measures to deal with North Korea's possible development of EMP bombs,'' the minister said, answering a lawmaker's question.

The U.S. military has been on alert over EMP attacks by its potential adversaries or terrorist groups.

Reports said China is capable of launching an EMP strike with a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile, and North Korea and other terrorist groups could have the capability by 2015.

Meanwhile, some members of the Assembly's National Defense Committee urged the ministry to reconsider an option to buy 36 used Apache attack helicopters from the United States.

In a bid to replace an aging fleet of 140 500MD and Cobra attack helicopters, South Korea is considering purchasing 36 older Block I Apache helicopters for about 1 trillion won through a U.S. foreign military sales program, and upgrade them to the newest Block III standard.

Rep. Kim Moo-sung of the ruling Grand National Party said the projected number of Apaches is too small to replace the l40 older helicopters, and, more importantly, its operational requirements do not fit those required by the Army.

``The MD500 and Cobra helicopters have been used in conducting close combat support operations for ground troops. But the Apache, which is surely more capable than the current ones, however, is usually operated for infiltrating into the enemy area and hitting key targets,'' Kim said.

Rep. Kim Sung-ho pointed out that the 1-trillion-won Apache project might affect the country's plan to build indigenous attack helicopters in the coming years due to the large cost required to maintain the Apache fleet.

He said about 80 billion won or more would be needed every year for maintaining the high-tech helicopters.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr