South Korea and US agree to deploy THAAD missile defense system
(VOVworld) – Military authorities of South Korea and the United States said on Friday that they have decided to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), to US Forces stationed on the Korean peninsula.
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| A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency (Photo: Reuters) |
Seoul and Washington said in a joint statement that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear tests and its many ballistic missile test-launches, including the recent intermediate-range ballistic missile firing, pose a serious threat to security and stability in South Korea and the entire Asia-Pacific region. South Korea and the U.S. have continued consultations since February on whether to deploy the THAAD system to enhance the missile defense posture of the South Korea-U.S. alliance in response to the DPRK threats.
The statement said that the two allies had decided to deploy the THAAD in the USFK as part of measures to defend the military forces of the South Korea-US alliance and protect the safety of South Korea and its people from the DPRK's nuclear threats, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
The Japanese government welcomed the move. At a press conference on Friday, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said Japan supports the decision, adding that deployment of the system will contribute to regional peace and stability. Meanwhile, Russia warned Friday that the US deployment of an advanced missile defense system in South Korea would have “irreparable consequences”.