North Korea and the United States remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean War, in which Washington sided with South Korea, ended only with a truce.
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South Korea has announced the deployment of an advanced anti-missile system in Seongju county in the country’s south.
North Korea’s military on Monday threatened to retaliate against the move by the South and the United States by taking “physical response” once the location and time of the deployment are decided.
However, South Korea’s defense ministry says that most of the ballistic missiles targeting the capital are Scud missiles that fly at an altitude of less than 40 kilometers, and that THAAD is only able to intercept missiles that fly at higher than 40 kilometers.
The location will allow the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to provide protection for up to two-thirds of the South Korean population and for nuclear power plants and oil storage facilities, the South’s Defence Ministry said.
It is not legitimate for China to blame only South Korea and the USA for the current situation, which was caused by North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear bombs and missiles.
On Friday, officials said the site would be announced within weeks, but nationwide protests against the THAAD deployment had spread especially in candidate sites, prompting the country to announce it in just five days after the decision.
Seoul and Washington launched formal talks on the THAAD deployment after North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test and carried about a long-range rocket launch earlier this year.
The North Korea frequently threatens to attack the South, as well as U.S. interests in Asia and the Pacific.
North Korea was not the only country to express anger regarding the anti-missile system, however, with China also releasing statements condemning the buff to South Korea’s defensive capability.
“As the first step, we have notified that the NY contact channel that has been the only existing channel of contact will be completely severed”, it said.
According to Zhebin, the THAAD systems deployment on South Korean territory has nothing to do with North Korea’s nuclear tests. The fate of both men and how they will now be treated under Jong-un’s declaration to handle all “issues” regarding the United States under the lens of “wartime laws” is a concern.
A group of residents arrived at the Defence Ministry in Seoul on Wednesday to voice their opposition.
“Come out Han Min-goo”, called protestors after the Defense Minister’s name after arriving at the MND Convention Center in Seoul, local outlet Focus News reported.
“The North might have meant a direct retaliation on the Thaad deployment site when it mentioned the physical action”, said Koh.
This missile defense system in South Korea would be effective against a number of missiles in North Korea’s arsenal, including short-range scuds and medium range Nodong and Musudan missiles.
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Meanwhile, China and Russian Federation have also criticised the defence system.
