ROK approves ‘Iron Dome’-style defense system

US Army mobile equipment sits in a field in Yeoncheon, the Republic of Korea, near the border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on June 17, 2020. (AHN YOUNG-JOON / FILE / AP)

SEOUL – The Republic of Korea approved plans on Monday to pursue a US$2.6-billion artillery interception system, similar to Israel's "Iron Dome", designed to protect against the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea’s arsenal of long-range guns and rockets, the defense acquisition agency said.

A large part of the area surrounding Seoul, the capital, is home to about half the population of 52 million, and lies within range of the DPRK’s long-range guns and multiple rocket launchers.

Late last year, the ROK's defense blueprint called for the development of a "Korean-style Iron Dome" that can defend Seoul and key facilities

Late last year, the government's defense blueprint called for the development of a "Korean-style Iron Dome" that can defend Seoul and key facilities.

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On Monday, a committee presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook approved the project, expected to be completed around 2035 at a cost of 2.89 trillion won (US$2.6 billion), the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement.

"Through this project, it is expected that the ability to respond to the threat of enemy long-range artillery will be strengthened, as well as securing domestic technology and creating domestic jobs," it said.

The Ministry of National Defence has said while existing weapons such as the Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems are designed to target the DPRK's increasingly capable short-range ballistic missiles, the new system aims to protect against long-range artillery and multiple rocket launchers.

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