By Alex Jensen
SEOUL
The familiar pattern of missile tests from the northern half of the Korean Peninsula was broken on Wednesday - as South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye oversaw a launch from the country’s western coast.
Not only did it represent South Korea’s first test involving a ballistic missile capable of striking most of North Korea, but it was unusual that the president personally visited the launch site - as confirmed by her spokesperson.
It was a moment that Seoul has been waiting for since 2012, when the United States agreed to extend the South’s permitted missile range.
The U.S. still maintains wartime military control of South Korea, having staved off a North Korea backed by China and the Soviet Union during the 1950-53 Korean War.
In recent years, the North has led its own provocations - including three nuclear tests and multiple ballistic missile tests.
Pyongyang last month announced that it had test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine, in addition to developing the ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads.
While some American experts doubt those claims, there have been increasing calls from conservative circles in South Korea to deploy THAAD, a U.S. missile defense system that has drawn opposition from both China and Russia.
The South’s test on Wednesday was a boost for those in favor of the country’s indigenous defense system known as Kill Chain - but without Washington’s backing, Seoul is still well behind Pyongyang.
North Korea has already tested missiles that could reach U.S. Pacific military bases, by regularly ignoring United Nations resolutions.
