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| In the top photo, riot police block protesters to make way for vehicles carrying four remaining launchers for a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to the site in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. In the bottom photo, U.S. soldiers work to install launchers at the site. / Yonhap |
More than a year needed before full operation of battery
By Jun Ji-hye
The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) bought in the four remaining launchers for its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday morning, despite fierce protests from hundreds of residents.
However, the Ministry of National Defense said it may take more than a year for the missile defense unit to be fully operational because of a pending environmental study regarding its radar.
A THAAD unit is composed of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors (eight per launcher), an AN/TPY-2 radar and other ancillary equipment.
Two launchers and the radar were already deployed at the site under the former Park Geun-hye government.
The ministry stressed that, although the four additional launchers have been brought in, the THAAD deployment is "temporary."
"The tentative deployment of the THAAD battery has been completed as the government and the USFK agreed to do so as part of measures to protect the people from evolving threats from North Korea's nuclear and missile programs," ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said.
He said the final decision about the THAAD deployment will be made after a full-scale environmental survey of the site, which is expected to take more than a year.
The deployment came after the North conducted its sixth nuclear test Sunday, claiming it detonated a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking targets on the U.S. mainland.
A day earlier, the ministry announced the USFK's plan to deploy the four remaining launchers, saying the government has decided to allow their deployment and provisional construction work needed to operate the battery in response to the growing North Korean threats.
The USFK moved the launchers from its air base in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, to the site in Seongju along with equipment necessary for construction such as cranes.
Local residents and activists, who have fiercely protested the installment, attempted to block vehicles carrying the THAAD equipment, confronting police. In the process, more than 30 protesters and police were injured.
Residents have claimed the former Park administration made a hasty decision without consulting them, raising concerns over the potential harmful impact of the system's powerful radar on their health and agricultural products. They said they will continue to step up their struggle against the placement of the missile shield near their village.
The ministry spokesman said the launchers will operate on metal pads until the full-scale environmental survey is completed. Construction of concrete emplacements will begin only after a final decision on the battery is made, he said.
"The government will come up with various support measures for local residents who are affected by the deployment," he said, adding that his ministry will cooperate with the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.
China factor
Defense officials said the government will also make efforts to resolve conflicts with neighboring countries as China and Russia have protested the THAAD installation, claiming that it damages their national interests.
The Korean Embassy in Beijing has told South Koreans living or traveling in China to pay attention to their personal safety, urging them to avoid unnecessary quarrels or conflicts with Chinese people.
China reiterated its opposition to the deployment. "Our stance on the THAAD issue has been consistent and clear," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a press briefing in Beijing. "We urge South Korea and the U.S. to halt the deployment procedure immediately for neighboring countries' security interests."
The ministry also called in Korean Ambassador to China Kim Jang-soo the previous day to lodge a complaint.
President Moon Jae-in had originally held off the deployment, saying a full-scale environmental survey should be completed first.
But after the North launched a Hwasong-14 ICBM, July 28, Moon ordered his aides to immediately begin consultation with the USFK to temporarily deploy the four remaining launchers.
