According to reports from the White House, the United States and South Korea has principally agreed to allow South Korea to deploy heavier warheads on its missiles after the latest provocations from the North, which claimed a successful Hydrogen bomb test on last Sunday. The military cooperation between the US and South Korea places restrictions on missiles that South Korea may deploy on its soil. In 2012, Washington agreed to extend the range limit to 800km but preserved the 500kg cap on payload weight. Earlier this year, the South Korean military reportedly tested successfully a ballistic missile with a range of 800km, enough to target any site in North Korea from anywhere in the South’s territory. South Korean President, Moon Jae-in first ordered consultations on lifting the weight restriction with the Pentagon in July. The move was prompted by North Korea’s second test of a longer-range ballistic missile, which the US believes to be capable of reaching American territory.

According to reports, the agreement between the two countries was reached over a telephonic conversation between President Donald Trump and President Moon Jae-in. President Trump has also given conceptual approval to billions of dollars’ worth of weaponry to be sold to South Korea.