S. Korea to evaluate alternative site for THAAD deployment

South Korea's defense ministry said Monday it will assess the suitability of an alternative site to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system as soon as possible.

The announcement came as residents living near a state-chosen site for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment formally requested the government review an alternative site within their county of Seongju.

In July, Seoul and Washington agreed to place a THAAD battery in Seongju by the end of next year in a bid to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. But the decision has invited fierce opposition from local residents. (Yonhap)