South Korea could build 5,000 km of nuclear power after US lifts ban

 South Korea can now develop long-range ballistic missiles after the United States lifted restrictions on its 42-year-old allied missile development program.

The leaders of South Korea and the United States have scrapped missiles that have been in place in Seoul since 1979. At the time, South Korea wanted to adopt US technology to develop its own missiles, and in return the Asian country agreed to set its missile range at 180 kilometers and a maximum warhead capacity of 500 kilograms. .

In the face of the North Korean threat, the guidelines for developing nuclear weapons have been reviewed four times. In 1997, Seoul had the right to develop a 300-kilometer ballistic missile capable of carrying 500 kilograms of warheads.

In 2012, South Korea had the right to produce missiles with a range of 800 km and a range of 500 kg. In 2017, when Pyongyang conducted its sixth nuclear test, Seoul and Washington abolished the nuclear warhead limit, and by 2020, the United States allowed South Korea to build long-range missiles.

"I am pleased to announce the end of the missile restriction directive," South Korean President Moon Jae-in said at a joint press conference on May 21. After the embargo, observers believe that South Korea is likely to prioritize the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles within a range of 1,000-5,000 km, capable of defending itself with North Korea. At the same time, observers say South Korea may be trying to build ballistic missiles fired from long-range submarines or begin research on supersonic weapons.

With regard to the lifting of US nuclear weapons restrictions on Seoul, some analysts see the US strategy as an opportunity for South Korea to join forces with China.