North Korea expands number of ballistic missile units, says Seoul
02 February 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Dae Young Kim
North Korea has expanded the number of its ballistic missile units and bolstered the status, capabilities, and training of its special forces, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in its 2020 Defense White Paper released on 2 February 2021.
The MND said in the paper that the Korean People’s Army Strategic Force was now believed to comprise 13 missile brigades, compared with nine in 2017, adding that the units – which, among other things, operated ‘Scud’-based short-range, No Dong (Rodong) medium-range, as well as Hwaseong-series intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles (SRBMs, MRBMs, IRBMs, ICBMs) – were likely to perform functions similar to those of China’s Rocket Force and Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces.
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Seoul, Feb. 2 (Jiji Press) South Korea s Ministry of National Defense dropped the word partner to describe Japan in its biennial defense white paper released Tuesday while continuing to call it a neighboring country.
This apparently reflects soured bilateral ties due to incidents, including one in late 2018 in which a South Korean warship directed a radar at a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane over the Sea of Japan.
The 2020 defense white paper, the second under the administration of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, said Japan is a neighboring country that South Korea should work with not only for their bilateral relations but also for the peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the entire world.
South Korea vowed to develop a “powerful” ballistic missile and is going full speed ahead with a plan to improve military and defense tech in what some experts are calling a growing “arms race” between Seoul and Pyongyang. On Thursday, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense released a key work report with objectives to boost […]
South Korea is in dire need of an upgrade to its defense technology, experts say
News Highlights: South Korea is in dire need of an upgrade to its defense technology, experts say
South Korea has pledged to develop a “powerful” ballistic missile and is going full steam ahead with a plan to improve military and defense technology in what some experts call a growing “arms race” between Seoul and Pyongyang.
On Thursday, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense released a major work report aimed at strengthening defense against North Korean nuclear and missile threats. At a meeting on the report, Defense Secretary Suh Wook reportedly promised to get an “improved” Cheolmae-II surface-to-air missile interceptors that can shoot down North Korean missiles before they have an impact.