N. Korea tests anti-ship missiles in Yellow Sea: source

SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has recently tested anti-vessel missiles in the Yellow Sea, a government source said Wednesday.

"In October and earlier this month, North Korea flew its IL-28 bomber to test anti-ship missiles in the Yellow Sea waters," the source said, adding that the missiles are reportedly the modified versions of the North's Styx ground-to-ship missiles.

The source added South Korea is also preparing countermeasures against potential North Korean provocations against the South's vessels.

"Should the North send IL-28s above the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and fire anti-ship missiles, they will present major threats to our patrol ships and destroyers operating south of the line," the source said. The NLL serves as a de facto maritime border between the Koreas. "The South Korean military is bolstering its air defense from the ground and from vessels."

South Korea's indigenous Chunma missile, a guided ground-to-air missile, may respond to IL-28 bombers, experts say. Chunma can detect and pursue fighter jets up to 20 kilometers away, and they can intercept airplanes flying 5 kilometers above ground within 10 seconds, according to experts.

Sources say the South added Chunma missiles to the border islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong last year, after the North bombed Yeonpyeong in November 2010, killing two Marines and two civilians.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)