Decision for advanced US missiles now less contentious

By Yi Whan-woo

Any deployment of the advanced U.S. missile defense system is going back to the negotiating table following South Korea’s decision to join the China-led regional bank, Thursday, amid growing tension between Washington and Beijing over hegemony in Asia.

Seoul has faced a dilemma over whether to accept Washington’s calls to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on Korean soil in order to deter a North Korean military attack.

China is against such a move, claiming the ballistic missile defense system is targeting its territory as part of U.S. efforts to enhance its leverage in the region.

Speculation is now growing that South Korea may be able to capitalize on its decision to join the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in order to bargain with both China and the U.S. over THAAD.

“I’d say the government is seeking a barter deal with the two superpowers, joining the AIIB in return for THAAD deployment,” said Park Byung-kwang, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS).

He cited that the U.S. has been against its allies joining the AIIB. Washington has expressed concerns about whether the new investment bank would meet the standards of the World Bank and other regional banks in terms of governance, lending standards and procurement rules. South Korea will be one of the AIIIB founding members along with the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.

“South Korea is sandwiched between the U.S. and China over THAAD. It seems that the Seoul-Washington discussions over the disputed missile interceptors will officially take place in the near future.”

Park added that the government should make it clear that it will take sides with the U.S. in terms of national security and join China for enhanced economic cooperation.

“The government’s decision to join the AIIB is meaningful because it hints that the country is not siding exclusively with either the U.S. or China. The country is apparently seeking a new method of survival.” Hong Hyun-ik, a senior researcher at Sejong Institute, voiced a similar view. Hong stressed that issues over THAAD and AIIB should be dealt with separately.

“It’s important to take a separate approach on issues over national security and the economy,” Hong said. He also pointed out that THAAD is not necessary crucial for South Korean defense.

THAAD’s X-Band radar, the key component of the system, has a range of 2,000 km and China has claimed the radar could be used to spy on its military.

“If the U.S. military insists on deployment, we need to make clear the deployment will be made at Washington’s expense,” Hong said.

“By doing so, we can avoid possible punitive measures that China may take.”

Researchers at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, a think tank under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declined to comment over the government’s next move on THAAD.

“The government finds the disputes over THHAD and AIIB sensitive, and we’ve been told to keep mum until the issues are settled.”