S. Korea to complete building own missile defense by 2015

South Korea’s military will complete building its own missile defense system by 2015 that is designed to intercept ballistic missiles from North Korea, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday, amid high tensions following the North’s two deadly attacks last year.

South Korea, which has ruled out joining the U.S.-led global missile defense system, has gradually built the independent, low-tier missile defense shield since 2006 by acquiring Patriot missiles and long-range early warning radars.

The Korea Air and Missile Defense system is aimed at allowing the South’s military to track and intercept incoming ballistic missiles and cruise missiles from North Korea. 

(Yonhap News)