The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been attempting to develop nuclear technology since the end of the Korean War in 1950’s. Although North Korea has no operational power generating nuclear reactors, in 1965 the Soviets provided North Korea with research reactors. North Korea’s efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction were supported by the Soviets with technical assistance and supplies. Currently North Korea it’s believed to have developed nuclear weapons; as a 2009 ten functional nuclear warheads were estimated to be on DPRK possession.
In October 2012, United States made an arrangement with South Korea that will allow the South Korean Government and nuclear experts to increase the range of its ballistic missiles in order to counter the ongoing threat from North Korean forces. The agreement was seen by North Korean officials as a dirty move from part of United States and South Korea after all the efforts made by them in order to stabilize the situation along the Korean peninsula and it’s region, including the North Korean restriction of launching long range missiles.
North Korea is threatening United States with launching nuclear test missiles after Washington agreed to led South Korea multiply the reach of range of it’s ballistic missiles. The warning was published by a member of North Korea’s Ministry the day after North Korea claimed to have long-range missiles capable of striking some of the western states on United States.
On the past South Korea was allow to engage targets within a range of 300 km (186 miles) and payloads no more than half a ton (1,100 lbs). The new agreement allows South Korea to deploy ballistic missiles up to a range of 800 km (497 miles), (enough distance to reach any target in North Korea), and carry payloads of two tons (4,400 lbs).
The increase on ballistic missiles is not the only concern that North Korea has about this agreement. South Korea can also develop their surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities due to the new revised guidelines that will allow them to carry more sophisticated equipment and weapons on their unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s).
In