SEOUL, South Korea -- (AP) -- North Korea on Wednesday accused South Korea of developing longer-range missiles and threatened to take a ``stronger countermeasure'' against its rival.

The North said it is upset by reports that South Korea is trying to develop a missile that can reach all parts of the communist country.

``If the South Korean rulers persist in their desperate moves to develop ballistic missiles despite our warnings, we will take a stronger countermeasure against it,'' said the North's ruling party paper, Rodong Sinmun.

The paper's report, carried by the North's foreign news outlet, KCNA, did not specify what measure the reclusive country would take. North Korean statements are often belligerent.

North Korea is believed to have far more advanced missile programs than South Korea. Last year, it rattled the region by firing a missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean.

The North shelved its plan to test-fire a more powerful missile after talks with the United States in October. Experts say the new missile could reach Hawaii and Alaska.

Under a 1979 agreement with the United States, South Korea cannot develop a missile with a range longer than 112 miles. Washington has agreed in principle to lift the ban, allowing Seoul to develop a missile capable of traveling up to 187 miles.

South Korea wants U.S. permission to research and develop a missile with a range of up to 312 miles, a distance that would cover all of North Korea.

Three days of U.S.-South Korea missile talks in Seoul last week failed to reach agreement on the issue.

The United States is concerned that South Korea's efforts to lengthen missile ranges may trigger a regional arms race.

The two Koreas fought a war a half-century ago and tensions have been high ever since.