Controversy has been rekindled here over the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense in South Korea as U.S. officials have openly raised the sensitive issue.
Washington has expressed its willingness to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery on the Korean Peninsula, home to about 28,500 American troops, to better cope with the growing threats of Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the North’s “provocative activities” are why “we are talking about THAAD” during his meeting with U.S. service personnel in Seoul.
In Washington, Frank Rose, assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, said the U.S. is considering “the permanent stationing of a THAAD unit on the Korean Peninsula.”
So far, the Seoul government has stressed that there have been no official consultations between the allies, no request from the U.S. and no decision made on the matter.
Defense Minister Han Min-koo has said the new weapon would do good to the security of the Korean Peninsula and it will make any relevant decisions by prioritizing its security interests, though the country has no plans to purchase the system.
“I see no reasons to oppose the U.S.’ deployment of the THAAD battery facing growing nuclear and missiles provocations by North Korea,” Rep. Won Yoo-chul of the ruling Saenuri Party said.
Saenuri’s Choung Byong-gug also called on the government “to rather actively demand its introduction” if it is needed to respond to the nuclear-armed North.
The calls by some ruling party lawmakers run counter to their opposition counterparts.
Rep. Yun Hu-duk of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy stressed the need “to discuss if the asset fits for the security circumstances of the Korean Peninsula after careful consideration with ample information.”
Citing concerns raised by China over the system’s possible deployment, Yun pointed to “possible serious side effects on Seoul-Beijing relations.”
Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry said it will consult with the U.S. on the possible deployment of its advanced missile defense system on Korean soil if Washington officially makes such requests.
“The U.S. government has been reviewing the deployment of the THAAD battery for its forces stationed here, as I understand it,” Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a regular briefing. “If it makes a formal request for discussions on the issue after such an internal process, we will of course consult with it.”
The issue has been the focus of attention here as the move is seen by critics as part of a broader U.S. attempt to get the Asian ally to join its missile-defense system.
Instead of joining the U.S. system, however, South Korea has been developing its own Korea Air and Missile Defense, a low-tier air defense program, and the Kill Chain, which is designed to launch strikes right after signs are detected of imminent nuclear or missile provocations by Pyongyang. (Yonhap)
