ARMED ROBOTS ALONG DMZ? KOREA'S DEFENSE MINISTRY PONDERS MOVE

Hmmm... might not be a good thing especially if the technology is not near flawless.

The Defense Ministry plans to deploy robots with combat capability along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border as part of revamped security measures to deter North Korean infiltration.

Other measures include installing electronic warning systems and computerized surveillance cameras, including remotely monitored battlefield sensor systems and closed circuit televisions, along the 253-kilometer border in stages by 2011.

"We are considering ways to properly and actively take advantage of state-of-the-art technologies," ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Shin Hyun-don told reporters. "In the mid- and long-term perspective, the ministry will set up the infrastructure for a technology-based security posture instead of a personnel-based system."

The ministry expects it will cost about 20 billion won to set up 250 robots every 1 kilometer along the border. (full article)