South Korea checks out US missiles

South Korea is considering the purchase of US shipborne SM-2 missiles to bolster its missile-defence system, a South Korean government official said.

The move is the latest by South Korea and Japan to strengthen their defences amid recent signs that North Korea could test a long-range missile.

Seoul announced last week the purchase of Patriot interceptor missiles from Germany. The US order would be for 48 of the SM-2 missiles.