YONHAP NEWS

(LEAD) U.S. welcomes S. Korea's move to fully join PSI: State Dept.

   By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, April 8 (Yonhap) -- The United States Wednesday welcomed a move by South Korea to fully join the U.S.-led effort to check North Korean vessels carrying weapons of mass destruction and their parts abroad.

   "We would welcome a decision by the Republic of Korea to join the Proliferation Security Initiative," a State Department official said, asking for anonymity due to the sensitivity involved.

   The official, meanwhile, hinted the U.S. government will discuss the possible extension of South Korea's missile range from the current 300 km, a limit set so as not to provoke North Korea.

   "The government of the Republic of Korea has not approached us on this issue," the official said about the move by South Korea to expand the missile range. "As an alliance partner, we regularly discuss all issues affecting security of the Korean Peninsula."

   South Korean officials have talked about the need for an extended missile range following North Korea's launch Sunday of a rocket that flew 3,200 km into waters off Hawaii.

   The rocket launch also prompted talks in South Korea about the need to enhance its missile defense capability, seen as an important pillar of deterrence against North Korea's ballistic missile capability along with the PSI.

   South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has said his government will consider joining the PSI as a full member, although South Korea is currently an observer. In that role, it does not take part in operations to stop any vessels but provides logistics support.

   Lee's remarks, following North Korea's launch of a rocket Sunday to send a satellite into space, infuriated North Korea, which denounced the hardline Lee administration for what it sees as an aggravation of already tense inter-Korean ties.

   North Korea has warned of strong measures if South Korea joins the PSI.

   Lee's liberal predecessors refrained from joining the PSI so as not to provoke North Korea. The initiative has gained 74 member states since its inception in 2003.

   hdh@yna.co.kr
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