Milley reiterated the American position that the defense system is meant to destroy possible North Korean missiles and not to track missiles inside China.
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“THAAD should not be deployed at all, not just in Seongju, but anywhere in South Korea”, said Yoo Ji-Won, a 63-year-old farmer. They had their heads shaved to express their strong disagreement with the authorities’ plans.
“The real independence (of Korea) would be building a unified Republic of Korea where all of our 80 million Minjok (people) can enjoy freedom and the gift of human rights”, Park continued.
Numerous protesters, melon farmers from Seongju region, sat in somber silence as they had their heads shaved while a protest leader led a crowd in chants of “No THAAD!” in reference to the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
The U.S. and the Republic of Korea announced February 7 that they were in formal discussions about the deployment of the THAAD system, just hours after the North conducted another missile launch, and concluded those talks with an agreement earlier this summer to deploy the system.
Beijing leaders see it as an offensive spying system that can look deep into its territory, thereby seriously threatening China’s national security.
Sorry China, but America’s most advanced missile system is moving to South Korea. The aim is to effectively neutralize North Korean missiles before they can land.
“(Park) is clearly stating that the South will not even try to engage in conversation with the North”, Cha said of the difference in tone this year.
“Gen. Milley also discussed ways to deepen practical cooperation between the U.S. Army and the PLA in areas like humanitarian assistance and disaster response”. Seoul’s forces are increasing the number of Hyunmoo missiles in its arsenal to combat rising threats from its neighbour. “This will enable the Pentagon to adjust its missiles to countering a hypothetical Chinese threat”, Zolotaryov said.
Also in the speech, Park stressed that North Korea’s nuclear ambition can never be tolerated, urging Pyongyang immediately to halt its development of nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction, and its provocations against South Korea. This risk factor has now been neutralized, but the United States missile defense facilities in Europe are still there.
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In conjunction with the approximately 28,500 USA forces in South Korea, Seoul plans to have the unique air-defense system operational by the end of 2017. “China’s expansion and Russia’s strategic potential are its real aims”, Podberyozkin said.
