The military reportedly began developing missiles with destructive power similar to tactical nuclear weapons, after the recent termination of U.S. restrictions on the country's missile development.

According to military sources on Thursday, the military is close to completing development of a surface-to-surface ballistic missile that can carry a warhead of up to three tons.

Following a series of test launches, the military is expected to determine the timetable for its deployment.

A maximum three-ton warhead-carrying ballistic missile is capable of traveling dozens of meters underground, which means it can incapacitate nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles before they are launched.

With a range of 350 to 400 kilometers, such a missile is expected to reach all of North Korea.

In its blueprint for 2022 to 2026 on Thursday, the Defense Ministry pledged to develop missiles capable of destroying enemies' tunnels and buildings with accuracy to strike the size of an entrance of a building.