Military officials in Seoul say that when THAAD is deployed, it will create a multi-layered missile defense system capable of shooting down North Korea’s Scud and Patriot missiles should they target the South.
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South Korea’s defense minister said Wednesday that the planned deployment of an advanced US anti-missile system is for self-defense and will not be incorporated into the wider USA missile defense (MD) system.
Conflict between North Korea and South Korea dates back to 1950, after Korea was liberated from Japan and the cold war split the nation between Russian supported North Korea and US supported South Korea.
“North Korea’s methods are quickly diversifying”, Shin said, and added the latest cyber-terrorism techniques include the deployment of “ransomware”. THAAD battery to be stationed in the country after months of deliberation.
When North Korea isn’t launching massive Distributed Denial of Service attacks, their hackers are diligently working away at finding other methods of infiltrating South Korean institutions.
“The government remains committed to not joining the MD shield, and this stance has not changed since the Kim Dae-jung administration”, the minister pointed out.
Last week, South Korea said the THAAD system, created to intercept ballistic missiles flying at high altitudes inside and outside the atmosphere, will be deployed in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province.
“In line with this policy, Seoul has stepped up efforts to build up KAMD”, he said.
It is unclear whether North Korea actually has the technology that it boasts about having. China, in particular, is Seoul’s No. 1 trading partner and a key player in Seoul’s drive to get North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. “Under these circumstances the deployment of a THAAD battery that can improve our missile interception capabilities is a significant step”.
According to North Korean state media, Kim Jong Un personally “provided field guidance” for the drill.
NATO has condemned the testing, stating: “The launches are in direct violation of several United Nations Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 2270 adopted on March, 2, 2016, which repeatedly call for North Korea to cease all activities related to its ballistic missile programme”. Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, carried photographs of Kim with military aides, apparently observing a ballistic missile exercise. The North regularly threatens to destroy Japan, South Korea and the South’s main ally, the United States.
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Shin also said analysis of North Korea’s cyberterror networks shows there are at least three organizations in operation.
