South Korea is in the final stages of developing a ballistic missile that can carry a warhead of up to 3 tons, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, as the country unveiled budget proposals aimed at bolstering its defenses against North Korea.
In its defense blueprint for 2022-2026, the Defense Ministry said it would develop new missiles "with significantly enhanced destructive power," upgrade missile defense systems and deploy new interceptors against long-range artillery.
"We will develop stronger, longer-range and more precise missiles so as to exercise deterrence and achieve security and peace on the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said in a statement.