Washington cancels Seoul’s missile limits
South Korea and the US have scrapped the Revised Missile Guidelines, which will allow longer-range missiles than the Hyunmoo-2 pictured here to be developed. (US DoD)
South Korea is expected to develop longer-range ballistic missiles after a bilateral accord is cancelled.
South Korea and the US have torn up their bilateral agreement that has limited the range of Seoul’s ballistic missiles since an accord was first signed in 1979.
The announcement came on 21 May, after Presidents Joe Biden and Moon Jae-in met in the White House. The current Revised Missile Guidelines document limits South Korean ballistic missiles to a range of 800km, but Seoul will now be free to deploy missiles of any range.
‘I’m pleased to announce the end of the missile guidelines,' Moon commented.
'This is a symbolic and substantive measure to demonstrate the solidity of the ROK-US alliance
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat]()
Estonia opts for smart, adaptable and cooperative solutions in the face of Russian threat
Estonian-made equipment is being put through the toughest of evaluations in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers resisting the full-scale Russian invasion which began in 2022. The country has long seen the threat and is continuing to adapt for the future.
-
![Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister]()
Estonia boosting defence industry with lessons from Ukraine, says country’s economic minister
Estonia is looking to boost its local defence industry with directed funding, industry parks, support through international orders for equipment and rapid prototyping.
-
![UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens]()
UK faces cost of balancing defensive capabilities abroad as Iran conflict widens
The UK has recently deployed a Type 45 destroyer to Cyprus and has bolstered its presence in the Middle East in recent weeks with supporting air power to protect neighbouring countries’ air defences.
-
![White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production]()
White House calls on Pentagon contractors to “rapidly and aggressively” boost weapon production
Intended to sustain Operation Epic Fury against Iran, efforts to increase the production of weapons and ammunition could expose long-standing weaknesses in the US defence industrial base.
-
![India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict]()
India’s strategic defence footprint expansion could be accelerated by Iran-Israel conflict
The latest escalation between Iran and Israel could shape New Delhi’s next-generation shield as India deepens cooperation with Israel on missile defence and drone production.
-
![Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?]()
Is the US magazine of air defence interceptors deep enough to sustain a long campaign against Iran?
The Pentagon spent a considerable number of THAAD and SM-3 rounds to defend against Iranian missiles in 2025 and has not fully replenished its reserves.
