Korea, US agree to deploy THAAD
Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Ryu Je-seung, right, shakes hands with Eighth U.S. Army commander Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal after a joint press conference at the defense ministry building in southern Seoul, Friday. The two agreed to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here. / Yonhap
China denounces Seoul, Washington; host site nearly finished
By Yi Whan-woo
South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here, the two allies announced Friday, drawing protests from China and throwing the Korean Peninsula into geopolitical turmoil.
“The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States made an alliance decision to deploy THAAD to U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) as a defensive measure to ensure the security of the ROK and its people,” the Ministry of Defense and the USFK said in a joint statement.
It said the deployment of the advanced U.S. missile defense system is to protect alliance military forces from North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile threats.
The two are “working closely to ensure the swift deployment of THAAD” and will develop specific operational procedures, it said.
Several hours after the announcement, China denounced both Seoul and Washington, with its foreign ministry expressing “strong discontent and firm opposition” against the two countries’ agreement.
Where is host site?
A senior South Korean military official said the two allies are “nearly finished” choosing the host site for THAAD although they still need to settle administrative and technical issues in advance.
“We’re trying to make an announcement over the selection of the host sites within a couple of weeks as soon as we complete our operational procedures,” the official said, asking not to be named. “We’ll consider health and safety of the residents in the candidate sites in making our choice.”
The candidate locations are Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Wonju, Gangwon Province, Waegwan in North Gyeongsang Province and Eumseong County in North Chungcheong Province.
Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Ryu Je-seung expected that THAAD will begin operation by the end of 2017 at the latest.
The decision, Friday, came after years of disputes over whether South Korea should allow American troops to deploy THAAD on South Korean soil in the face of opposition from China and Russia.
The defense ministry and USFK underscored their stance that THAAD will pose no threat to regional neighbors.
“North Korea’s nuclear tests and multiple ballistic missile tests, including the recent intermediate-range ballistic missile launches, highlight the grave threat that North Korea poses to the security and stability of the ROK and the entire Asia-Pacific region,” the joint statement read. “When the THAAD system is deployed to the Korean Peninsula, it will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and would not be directed towards any third-party nations.”
The South Korean government also said it notified China and Russia of its decision in advance. They have protested that THAAD’s long-range radar can be used to spy on their military activities.
Operated by the USFK, 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 with a detection range up to 2,000 kilometers.
A THAAD battery consists of six truck-mounted, highly mobile launchers carrying 48 interceptor missiles in total, an AN/TPY-2 radar, and fire control system for communication and data-management.
There are a total of five batteries. Each costs 1.5 trillion won ($1.29 billion), including 11 billion won for each missile.
Under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), South Korea will be responsible for providing the land and relevant facilities to host THAAD and the USFK will cover expenses for deployment and operations.
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A policeman blocks photographs from being taken of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, Friday. China denounced both Seoul and Washington for the agreement to deploy a THAAD battery here. / Yonhap
No extra costs
Defense Minister Han Min-koo confirmed that it will not require extra money to bring THAAD.
“All relevant expenses will be made from SOFA’s defense-cost sharing program,” Han said during a meeting with the minor opposition People’s Party leaders at the National Assembly.
The ruling Saenuri Party welcomed the decision, saying “THAAD will contribute to ensuring national security and people’s party.”
The main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) criticized that the decision was made “without enough discussions with political parties,” although said it does not oppose deployment of THAAD.
People’s Party claimed that the government is “too complacent” about China’s opposition toward THAAD while another minor opposition Justice Party demanded to withdraw the decision.
In June 2014, then-USFK Commander Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti first raised the need to deploy THAAD here against North Korea’s military aggression.
Seoul, however, had maintained the “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.
However, Seoul and Washington officially formed a working-level group to discuss a possible THAAD deployment in March following North Korea’s fourth nuclear test on Jan. 4 and long-range rocket launch on Feb. 7.