South Korea said it has tested a ballistic missile capable of hitting any target in North Korea, in what is seen as a response to recent military provocations by Pyongyang.
Seoul defense officials said President Park Geun-hye personally watched over the successful launch Wednesday at a firing range in the southern part of South Korea.
The missile has a range of 500 kilometers and can hit anywhere in North Korea, according to the officials, who add the technology will be deployed by the end of the year.
The weapon was developed by Seoul following a 2012 agreement with the U.S. that nearly tripled the allowable maximum range of the South's ballistic missiles.
South Korea has expanded its ballistic missile arsenal in response to the growing threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea recently said it conducted a successful submarine-launched ballistic missile test, which would greatly extend the range of the North's ballistic missiles.
Pyongyang also said last month that it has perfected the technology needed to mount a miniaturized nuclear warhead on a long-range ballistic missile.
A significant number of foreign and military analysts have said those claims are likely exaggerated, but warn that Pyongyang is making progress on both fronts.
