The United States has agreed to supply South Korea with SM-6 ship-to-air missiles with a range of up to 400 kilometres (250 miles), Yonhap said quoting an unnamed military source.

The SM-6 system is an advanced type of the shorter-range SM-2 now used for Seoul's only Aegis destroyer in place since last year.

"We plan to equip the King Sejong, an Aegis destroyer launched last year, and two more Aegis destroyers, soon to be built, with SM-6 missiles that can intercept North Korean ballistic missiles," the source said.

The US-developed Aegis combat system has cutting-edge radar and can launch missiles at more than 10 targets at one time.

South Korea's navy last year announced plans to launch a second Aegis destroyer in 2010 and a third in 2012.

But the source stressed the planned purchase was Seoul's "independent" decision and had nothing to do with the US-led missile defence scheme.

Japan has joined the US-led missile shield against possible attacks from North Korea, which test-fired a long-range ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific in 1998.

But South Korea has not participated in the US-led scheme, citing cost and efficiency, and North Korea has opposed it. China and Russia are also critical.

The North has developed Scuds and other longer-range ballistic missiles, including the Rodong and Taepodong, which can hit targets in South Korea and Japan, according to military authorities in Seoul and Washington.

In July 2006, North test-fired seven missiles, including the Taepodong-2 which in theory could reach the US west coast.

The North carried out its first nuclear test in October 2006.

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