By Yi Whan-woo
North Korea alleged Monday that South Korea has complied with the United States to allow deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system on the Korean peninsula in return for joining the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
"The U.S is putting pressure on the South over security issues involving the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in exchange for turning a blind eye to Seoul's decision to join the AIIB," said Pyongyang's Uriminzokkiri propaganda website.
"The risk of war and a military arms race for deploying THAAD will be huge, and such risk will be not comparable to any economic benefits that South Korea may have."
The Seoul government announced Thursday that it joined the Beijing-led AIIB amid U.S concerns over transparency of the new investment bank.
South Korea will be one of the AIIIB's founding members along with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg.
Washington has raised questions over whether the multinational lender will meet the standards of the World Bank and other regional banks in terms of governance, lending standards and procurement rules.
Speculation has grown that Seoul may be able to capitalize on its decision to the AIIB in order to bargain with both China and the U.S. over THAAD. This is an advanced U.S. missile system designed to shoot down short- and medium-range and intermediate ballistic missiles in their terminal phase.
Its primary purpose is to deter a military attack from North Korea military, according to the U.S. military.
But China has opposed the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula, claiming that the X-Band radar, the core of the advanced U.S missile system, could be used to spy on its territory.
The North has also renewed its call for a lifting of the May 24 sanctions imposed upon the reclusive nation following its alleged torpedoing of the frigate Cheonan in 2010.
Rodong Simmun, the state organ of the (North) Korean Workers' Party, said Monday, "The May 24 measures are major barriers in the way of cooperation and exchange between the North and South."
North Korea alleged Monday that South Korea has complied with the United States to allow deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system on the Korean peninsula in return for joining the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
"The U.S is putting pressure on the South over security issues involving the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in exchange for turning a blind eye to Seoul's decision to join the AIIB," said Pyongyang's Uriminzokkiri propaganda website.
"The risk of war and a military arms race for deploying THAAD will be huge, and such risk will be not comparable to any economic benefits that South Korea may have."
The Seoul government announced Thursday that it joined the Beijing-led AIIB amid U.S concerns over transparency of the new investment bank.
South Korea will be one of the AIIIB's founding members along with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Luxembourg.
Washington has raised questions over whether the multinational lender will meet the standards of the World Bank and other regional banks in terms of governance, lending standards and procurement rules.
Speculation has grown that Seoul may be able to capitalize on its decision to the AIIB in order to bargain with both China and the U.S. over THAAD. This is an advanced U.S. missile system designed to shoot down short- and medium-range and intermediate ballistic missiles in their terminal phase.
Its primary purpose is to deter a military attack from North Korea military, according to the U.S. military.
But China has opposed the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula, claiming that the X-Band radar, the core of the advanced U.S missile system, could be used to spy on its territory.
The North has also renewed its call for a lifting of the May 24 sanctions imposed upon the reclusive nation following its alleged torpedoing of the frigate Cheonan in 2010.
Rodong Simmun, the state organ of the (North) Korean Workers' Party, said Monday, "The May 24 measures are major barriers in the way of cooperation and exchange between the North and South."
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