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S. Korea develops military combat robots

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- South Korea has developed a hi-tech military robot which will be deployed along the heavily fortified border with North Korea, officials said Thursday.

The sentry robot, developed by South Korean companies led by Samsung Techwin Co., is able to observe from 2.4 miles and 1.2 miles during day and night respectively, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said.

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It also has the ability to detect intruders, give warnings and provide suppressive fire.

"The robot can stand guard and could help cope with an expected decrease in military manpower in the coming years," said Lee Jae-hoon, head of the ministry's industrial policy office.

The military will test several robots before deploying hundreds along the border and other military installations late next year.

The development of military robots is part of South Korea's efforts to have highly sophisticated combat robots that could complement the roles of human soldiers on battlefields. The government has approved a joint project worth $32.4 million to develop the robot system by 2011.

Tens of thousands of South Korean soldiers guarding posts along the border would be relieved of duty by 2011 when they will be replaced by hundreds of combat robots, defense officials said.

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South Korea is technically in state of war with North Korea, as their 1950-53 conflict ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Their border has remained tightly sealed since the end of the Korean War, guarded by nearly 2 million troops on both sides.

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