North Korea says it has missiles that can reach U.S.

The U.S. Multiple Launch Rocket System launches rockets during a live training exercise in South Korea on September 13.

Tue October 9, 2012
By the CNN Wire Staff

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• North Korea says Japan, Guam and the U.S. mainland are within rocket range
• South Korea announced a deal with the U.S. to extend its missile range to include the North
• The goal was to "deter armed provocation from North Korea," a South Korean official says
• Previously, the South agreed to limit its missile range in exchange for access to U.S. technology

(CNN) -- North Korea said Tuesday that its missiles can reach the U.S. mainland -- days after South Korea announced a deal with the United States to extend its missile range.

The strike zone of North Korean rocket forces includes "not only the bases of the puppet forces and the U.S. imperialist aggression forces' bases in the inviolable land of Korea, but also Japan, Guam and the U.S. mainland," the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.

On Sunday, South Korea said it reached a deal with the United States that allows Seoul to extend the range of its ballistic missiles to include the northern peninsula of North Korea.

The deal with Washington revised the range of Seoul's missiles from 300 kilometers (186 miles) to 800 kilometers (497 miles), South Korean national security adviser Chun Yung-woo told reporters.

"The important goal in revising the missile pact is to deter armed provocation from North Korea," Chun said. "If North Korea is to attack or provoke, we are able to incapacitate its nuclear and missile (capabilities) in the early stage. We have guaranteed various capabilities to protect the life and safety of our people."

The South agreed in 1972 to limit its missile range to 180 kilometers (112 miles) in exchange for access to U.S. missile technology. Guidelines were revised in 2001 to allow for a range of 300 kilometers.

This week's announcements from both Koreas come amid increased tensions between the two sides after the North test fired a long-range rocket in April. The rocket exploded shortly after it was launched.

The two Koreas signed an armistice that ended the 1950-1953 Korean war, though a peace treaty was never signed. Technically, the two countries remain in a state of war.

Roughly 28,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea.