Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage says extending South Korea’s range of ballistic missiles is "long overdue."

Armitage made the remark during a seminar organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Monday.

He said “North Korea has gotten away with one provocation after another and nothing happened.” He said there was no response and extending South Korea’s missile range is a response. Armitage made the comment as he mentioned the North’s sinking of South Korea’s “Cheonan” naval vessel and the North’s artillery attack against Yeonpyeong Island.

Also during the seminar, Walter Slocombe, former under secretary of defense for policy, said extending South Korea’s missile range would have "no significant impact" on China and other neighboring countries.