North deploys a new missile

SEOUL

North Korea recently deployed a new type of medium-range ballistic missile capable of reaching northern Australia and the U.S. territory of Guam, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Monday.

The report comes amid speculation that the isolated regime also is preparing to test-fire a longer-range missile capable of hitting Alaska.

The new medium-range ballistic missile can travel at least 1,800 miles, which would put the Pacific island of Guam, the northern tip of Australia and much of Russia and India within striking distance, the ministry said in a defense assessment of North Korea issued every two years.

It did not offer any other details on the new missile, including exactly when or how many missiles have been deployed and where their launching grounds are located.

The new missile is thought to be the same type displayed at a military parade in North Korea in 2007. The communist nation has been developing the missile since the late 1990s, the report said.

North Korea is believed to be preparing to test-fire a version of its longest-range ballistic missile, the Taepodong-2, amid heightened tension with Seoul.

Relations have been tense since South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office a year ago, calling on the impoverished North to honor its commitment to disable its nuclear program and refusing to give it unconditional aid.

North Korea’s state media have been churning out near-daily criticism of Mr. Lee, calling him a “traitor” and “human scum.” On Monday, the North’s main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, accused Mr. Lee of driving the Koreas “to the brink of a war.”

Media reports say the missile being readied for launch could be an advanced version of the Taepodong-2 that could reach even farther than Alaska, to the U.S. West Coast.

North Korea’s missile program is a major security concern, along with its nuclear weapons development.

The country test-launched a Taepodong-2 missile in 2006, but it plunged into the ocean shortly after liftoff.

North Korea also has shorter-range Scud and Nodong missiles capable of hitting neighboring South Korea or Japan.

The defense report called North Korea a “direct and serious threat” and noted an increase in its troops. About 180,000 of the North’s 1.19 million troops are special warfare forces trained for nighttime, mountain and street fighting - up from 120,000 reported two years ago, the report said.

The report said North Korea is believed to have secured about 88 pounds of plutonium - thought to be enough to make six or seven nuclear bombs - and conducted an atomic test in 2006.

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