Beijing cautions against Seoul's move
By Yi Whan-woo
The government said Friday that the terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) system will help boost Korea's national security and defense if it is deployed here by the United States.
Seoul and Washington are likely to start negotiations soon over whether to deploy the advanced missile defense system to better counter North Korea's threats.
"We're reviewing the technical elements of THAAD, including its tactical efficiency, on a working-level," defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters. "We've been considering all possible means to defend the country against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats."
China expressed concerns about Korea's move.
"We hope that a related nation (South Korea) will deal with the case prudently," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. "A nation should take security of other countries into account when considering its own security."
Kim's comment came after President Park Geun-hye and Defense Minister Han Min-koo cited the need for THAAD deployment in the wake of the Kim Jong-un regime's latest nuclear test, Jan. 6.
In a New Year's press conference, Jan. 13, Park said the government will consider THAAD deployment for both security and the national interest.
During a media interview, Monday, Han underscored the need for THAAD, saying Seoul has "limited capabilities."
The government move toward allowing the U.S. military to set up THAAD batteries follows China's reluctance to press North Korea for carrying out its fourth nuclear test since 2006.
Officials said the country still maintains the so-called "3-Nos" stance concerning THAAD, underscoring that there have been no consultations between Seoul and Washington, no request made by the U.S. to open dialogue, and no decision made.
The "3-Nos" stance was interpreted as a move to placate Beijing, which opposes THAAD claiming that its long-range radar could be used to monitor Chinese military activities.
China has hinted that it will retaliate with economic measures if THAAD is deployed on South Korean soil.
However, South Korea's stance is apparently changing, an analyst said.
"It's just a matter of time for South Korea to allow the U.S. military to bring in THAAD," said Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong University.
"The thing was, Korea needed a clear reason to justify its need for THAAD while not provoking regional powers.
"With North Korea continuing its military aggression and China falling short to demand the punishment of Pyongyang, it is possible that our government judged that now is the right time to discuss THAAD-related issues."
Han pointed out there has been growing signs that indicate North Korea may launch a long-range rocket soon.
Meanwhile, the defense ministry denied a Wall Street Journal report that South Korean and U.S. authorities have been negotiating over deployment of THAAD and will make a related announcement next week.
"It should be noted that the 3-Nos still remain effective," spokesman Kim said.
THAAD is designed to shoot down short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at a higher altitude in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill method by detecting the enemies' missiles with land-based radar that has a maximum range of about 1,800 kilometers.
By Yi Whan-woo
The government said Friday that the terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) system will help boost Korea's national security and defense if it is deployed here by the United States.
Seoul and Washington are likely to start negotiations soon over whether to deploy the advanced missile defense system to better counter North Korea's threats.
"We're reviewing the technical elements of THAAD, including its tactical efficiency, on a working-level," defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters. "We've been considering all possible means to defend the country against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats."
China expressed concerns about Korea's move.
"We hope that a related nation (South Korea) will deal with the case prudently," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. "A nation should take security of other countries into account when considering its own security."
Kim's comment came after President Park Geun-hye and Defense Minister Han Min-koo cited the need for THAAD deployment in the wake of the Kim Jong-un regime's latest nuclear test, Jan. 6.
In a New Year's press conference, Jan. 13, Park said the government will consider THAAD deployment for both security and the national interest.
During a media interview, Monday, Han underscored the need for THAAD, saying Seoul has "limited capabilities."
The government move toward allowing the U.S. military to set up THAAD batteries follows China's reluctance to press North Korea for carrying out its fourth nuclear test since 2006.
Officials said the country still maintains the so-called "3-Nos" stance concerning THAAD, underscoring that there have been no consultations between Seoul and Washington, no request made by the U.S. to open dialogue, and no decision made.
The "3-Nos" stance was interpreted as a move to placate Beijing, which opposes THAAD claiming that its long-range radar could be used to monitor Chinese military activities.
China has hinted that it will retaliate with economic measures if THAAD is deployed on South Korean soil.
However, South Korea's stance is apparently changing, an analyst said.
"It's just a matter of time for South Korea to allow the U.S. military to bring in THAAD," said Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong University.
"The thing was, Korea needed a clear reason to justify its need for THAAD while not provoking regional powers.
"With North Korea continuing its military aggression and China falling short to demand the punishment of Pyongyang, it is possible that our government judged that now is the right time to discuss THAAD-related issues."
Han pointed out there has been growing signs that indicate North Korea may launch a long-range rocket soon.
Meanwhile, the defense ministry denied a Wall Street Journal report that South Korean and U.S. authorities have been negotiating over deployment of THAAD and will make a related announcement next week.
"It should be noted that the 3-Nos still remain effective," spokesman Kim said.
THAAD is designed to shoot down short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at a higher altitude in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill method by detecting the enemies' missiles with land-based radar that has a maximum range of about 1,800 kilometers.
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