U.S. forces in South Korea yesterday displayed new Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor batteries about 50 miles south of the North Korean border, according to the Washington Times (see GSN, Sept. 16).

The U.S. military currently has four PAC-3 batteries and four PAC-2 batteries deployed in South Korea, the Times reported.  The PAC-3 battery can carry up to 16 interceptors, while a PAC-2 launcher can only carry four interceptors (Washington Times, Sept. 19).

North Korea yesterday criticized the PAC-3 upgrade, calling the move “preparations for pre-emptive strikes” against Pyongyang.

“If the United States wants to resolve the nuclear problem peacefully, it must stop the war preparations and change its hostile policy on the D.P.R.K.,” the North Korean state-run television said.  “The U.S. arms buildup in South Korea is creating a stumbling block to resolving the nuclear problem as it is dangerous war preparation to increase tensions on the Korean peninsula,” it said (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Sept. 19).

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