Why is THAAD so important?

By Bruce E. Bechtol Jr.

Recently North Korea test-launched yet another ballistic missile. This time the missile appears to have been a No Dong, and it fell close to Japan. In fact, North Korea has tested nearly every kind of missile in its inventory over the past four years.

Everything from Scuds, No Dongs, the Taepo Dong system, and Musudan missiles have been tested ― successfully ― since Kim Jong-un took over the helm as the leader of North Korea.

The reasons behind the rapid upgrades (for several systems) and the many tests of ballistic missiles during the Kim Jong-un regime have been argued among analysts since the uptick in testing began ― and now 32 test-launches have occurred during the rule of the "third Kim."

Some have assessed that the increased focus on upgrading and testing ballistic missiles is to show the world that the Kim regime is strong and will show no signs of weakness as it continues to create an atmosphere of instability in Northeast Asia.

Others have argued that Kim has ordered the activity because he wants to increase his standing and his power base in the military, where it is weaker than in any of the other institutions in the country. In my view both of these factors likely have an influence on what we have seen since 2012.

But the bottom line is that North Korea shows no signs of slowing down its ballistic missile development. The response to this from the ROK-US alliance has largely been in the form of sanctions ― which are important.

But if the alliance is to do what it is truly meant to do in a military sense, the response must be stronger and must be in the form of deterrence. Thus, the talks that began many months ago between Washington and Seoul, and have now culminated in an agreement to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense system (THAAD) to the Korean Peninsula.

The THAAD system will provide increased capabilities to the on-Peninsula ballistic missile defense (BMD) network that will go far beyond what current PAC-2 and PAC-3 systems can do. This is important in my view because policy makers must never forget what their highest priority is ― to protect the state. North Korea remains a violent and unpredictable rogue state, and the only way to contain Pyongyang's behavior is to respond with credible deterrence.

Both China and Russia have publicly stated their displeasure with having an American operated THAAD system on the Korean Peninsula. But ultimately, why would this be the case? THAAD is a defensive system, and thus unable to attack South Korea's neighbors in any way. While it does have the range to defend against missiles being launched from some areas in Russia and China, since these states claimed to have no beef with Seoul, it does not matter ― again, because this is purely a defensive system.

What THAAD does do is take a very solid step forward in protecting South Korea from a ballistic missile attack emanating from North Korea. This is a legitimate reason for deploying the system to the Peninsula, and will also be a legitimate reason for later deploying other upgraded systems that can protect the South Korean people. Pyongyang should be watching, because Seoul ― and its key ally in the United States ― is serious about defending against attack from its neighbor to the North.

As the ROK-US alliance moves forward, the leadership in both Seoul and Washington must continue to maintain and upgrade military systems that will contain the violent behavior of the North. But it cannot stop there. The ROK and American militaries must explore new methodologies and scenarios in joint exercises. They must continue to work together in a collegial environment of cooperation and transparency. And as the alliance moves forward, citizens of both nations can never forget that while economic and political initiatives are important, as long as the threat of a violent, unpredictable North Korea exists, our two great nations must continue to focus on the readiness and capabilities that will continue to deter the DPRK.

The capabilities of THAAD are important for not only South Korea, but the United States. Washington proved this when the system was deployed to Guam ― U.S. territory that North Korea would likely target with the Musudan missile in time of war. For those who doubt North Korean capabilities, please allow me to remind you that North Korea went from a Musudan launch that blew up on the pad, to a successful test launch showing both the range and the atmospheric re-entry capability of the missile, in two short months. The North Koreans are serious about developing new advanced ways to threaten South Korea and the United States. We should be serious about deterring them with the best systems we have.

Bruce E. Bechtol Jr. is a professor of political science at Angelo State University, and is the author or editor of six books on North Korea, most recently "North Korea and Regional Security in the Kim Jong-un Era: A New International Security Dilemma." Contact him at bruce.bechtol@angelo.edu.

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