“To defend South Korea and the people against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats … the government chose to deploy the THAAD system at Seongju” an official from the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said during a Wednesday briefing.
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In selecting the final location, the joint working group considered military effectiveness and resident safety as top priorities and conducted comparative studies, on-site inspections and simulations, it said.
The US and South Korea began talks on deploying the THAAD system to the Korean peninsula in February after the North fired a long-range rocket. Groups are also reportedly planning petition drives to overturn the military’s decision on grounds that the environmental and economic impact of the potential deployment has not been properly vetted. But he dismissed the possibility as it would mean the North would have to launch a missile to target the small county 260 kilometers (161 miles) south of Seoul.
While 38 North could not determine whether the increased activity was for the execution of a nuclear test, it said it was a clear sign that North Korea was making sure the facility was “in a state of readiness” that would enable it to proceed should North Korean leader Kim Jong-un give the go-ahead.
THAAD can shoot down short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at incredible speed and altitude, and has been used by the USA for years to protect its military units.
The medium-altitude Patriot interceptor system is more effective at countering North Korea’s missiles that fly shorter distances, thus at a lower altitude, he said.
“We have already said that we resolutely oppose the United States and South Korea’s deployment of the THAAD system, and we’re intensely calling upon the United States and South Korea to cease the (deployment) process”, the Chinese official stated.
Leading an angry delegation, Seongju county chief Kim Hang-gon traveled to Seoul earlier in the day to lodge a protest with the defense ministry.
“North Korea continues to develop their nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and it is the responsibility of our Alliance to maintain a strong defense against those threats”, Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea commander said last month.
He said the defense chiefs of the countries approved the decision.
More than 5,000 people protested in Seongju on Wednesday.
The allies have been carrying out talks on deploying the advanced missile defense system here, after North Korea conducted a nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier in the year to the global society’s dismay. They said the system would be deployed by the end of next year at the latest.
In the midst of an array of rhetoric which is becoming increasingly threatening and violent, North Korea also test-fired a submarine-based ballistic missile. On Monday, North Korea threatened to take “physical” action against South Korea and the USA if the allies finalize their decision on the site.
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Speaking to senior presidential secretaries, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Monday that North Korea’s threats are “life-threatening issues” against the future and life of Korean people.
