Seoul dances away from THAAD push

By Jun Ji-hye

Cheong Wa Dae rebutted Wednesday a series of remarks made by U.S. officials advocating the need to install America’s advanced missile defense system here.

Presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook stressed that any decision on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THADD) system will be made “independently.”

“We will consider it, if the United States formally requests a possible deployment,” Min said.

THAAD is a touchy issue for Seoul, not just because the need for it is growing in the face of North Korea’s missile threats but, more importantly, because any hint of embracing it could significantly damage relations with China, and give the impression that the country is at the beck and call of the United States.

“No decision has been made,” he told reporters.

The comments came hours after Frank Rose, U.S. assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, said that the U.S. was considering the permanent stationing of a THAAD unit in South Korea.

“Although we’re considering the permanent stationing of a THAAD unit on the Korean Peninsula, we have not made a final decision and had formal consultations with the Republic of Korea on a potential THAAD deployment,” Rose was quoted as saying during a seminar hosted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) in Washington.

A government official told reporters that Rose apparently crossed the line.

It was the first time that a U.S. senior official has mentioned the permanent stationing of a THAAD unit on the peninsula.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’ said Monday that recent provocations by North Korea were “why we are talking about THAAD.”

Kerry made the remarks during a meeting with U.S. service personnel stationed here during a two-day visit to Seoul.

The U.S. push has intensified especially after North Korea test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile on May 8.

Another official said, “The government will respond after the U.S. notifies Seoul of the result of discussions in Washington.”

He added that the government does not feel the need to respond each time a U.S. official makes a comment.

THAAD is widely regarded as the core of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system.

China, Korea’s No. 1 trading partner, has been pressing Seoul to reject THAAD deployment, saying it could be used to nullify Beijing’s military strike capabilities. Russia has also expressed opposition to the potential deployment.

Rose dismissed China’s concerns that THAAD would pose a threat to its security interests in the region.

“I think part of what China is trying to do is create a wedge in the U.S. alliance system in the region,” Rose was quoted as saying. He noted that the THAAD missile defense system has no capability to intercept long-range Chinese missiles.

He also dismissed Chinese claims that a radar that comes with THAAD could be used to spy on China, saying the U.S. already has such devices in the region.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye