Missile guidelines talks begin

By Yi Whan-woo

South Korea and the United States have begun their talks on revising Seoul’s missile development guidelines so it can have more powerful missiles.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Monday it was discussing with its South Korean counterpart the latter’s proposal for a revision to better deter Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threats.

The negotiations come as President Moon Jae-in is seeking to bolster the country’s self-defense capability, while leaving the door open to resuming dialogue with North Korea.

Last changed in 2012, the guidelines ban South Korea from developing missiles with a range of over 800 kilometers and a payload exceeding 500 kilograms.

The Moon administration has sought to extend the payload weight limit to 1 ton following the Kim Jong-un regime’s two intercontinental ballistic missile tests in July.

Doubling the payload is expected to increase South Korea’s capability of striking Pyongyang’s underground bunkers that are constructed to shelter the North Korean leadership in the event of war.

“There is currently a limit on the warhead size and missiles that South Korea can have, and yes, it is a topic under active consideration here,” Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis was quoted as saying to Reuters and AFP. “I would tell you that we would be favorably inclined to do anything which increases the defensive capabilities of South Korea.”

The Pentagon said it had received the request from South Korea to review the guidelines and that it has been working with the Department of State to “determine the best way forward.”

According to Cheong Wa Dae, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to actively cooperate when Moon sought Washington’s support in rewriting the guidelines during a phone call Monday.

Cheong Wa Dae said Moon also “briefly touched on” issues about nuclear submarines while addressing the need to enhance South Korea’s self-defense capabilities along with its joint defensive posture with the U.S.

South Korea does not possess nuclear-powered submarines.

They have been considered critical to effectively deter the North’s missiles, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as they can operate deep into North Korean waters, monitor Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile facilities and strike preemptively if necessary

But developing relevant technology will require a revision of a Seoul-Washington nuclear agreement.

Revised in 2015, it only allows South Korea to use nuclear energy for peaceful and industrial purposes.

Moon promised to revise the bilateral nuclear agreement during the May presidential campaign.

In June, Moon observed the test-firing of the country’s new Hyunmoo-type ballistic missile in what was seen as a warning against North Korea’s cycle of military provocations.

The new missile has a maximum range of 800 kilometers, which is sufficient to cover all of North Korea.