N Korea now possesses 1,000 missiles: Seoul minister

North Korea now has 1,000 missiles of various types,South Korea's defence minister said,a 25-per cent increase on the number estimated two years ago.

North Korea now has 1,000 missiles of various types,South Korea’s defence minister said on Wednesday,a 25-per cent increase on the number estimated two years ago.

Minister Kim Tae-Young also reminded a Seoul forum that the communist state is pushing ahead with a highly enriched uranium programme,a second way to make atomic weapons in addition to its plutonium enrichment.

The 1,000 missiles include Scuds,Rodongs and IRBMs (intermediate-range ballistic missiles),a ministry spokeswoman told AFP. Two years ago,the ministry estimated the total at around 800.

Many of the missiles are deployed near the inter-Korean border and targeted at Seoul or other locations in the South,officials have said.

Yonhap news agency said last week the North has set up a new military division to operate IRBMs with a range of more than 3,000 kilometres (1,860 miles),capable of hitting US bases in Japan and Guam.

It is also known to have test-launched three intercontinental Taepodong missiles,which in theory could reach Alaska.

Kim,reiterating earlier estimates,said the North has produced 30-40 kilograms (66-88 pounds) of weapons-grade plutonium from its plutonium programme. Experts say this is enough to build six or seven bombs.