'S Korea develops new long-range missile'

South Korea has developed a new medium-range cruise missile capable of hitting sites in North Korea and also parts of China, Japan and Russia, unconfirmed reports said Saturday.

South Korea has developed a new medium-range cruise missile capable of hitting sites in North Korea and also parts of China, Japan and Russia, unconfirmed reports said Saturday.

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The Hyunmu-3C missile could strike any potential nuclear site in North Korea, according to broadcaster KBS and the Yonhap news agency, citing unnamed defence officials.

Tensions between the nuclear-armed North Korea and South Korea have escalated dramatically in the past year, with an international investigation blaming Pyongyang for the torpedoing of a South Korean navy ship in March.

The information on the missile, with a range of up to 1,500 km, has not been confirmed officially.

The reports said the missiles would be deployed along the border with North Korea by the end of this year.

The US provides South Korea with a nuclear umbrella in case of war, with Seoul's missiles - until now - limited to 300 km.