By Jun Ji-hye
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter plans to visit South Korea next week to meet with his counterpart Han Min-koo. He is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Park Geun-hye.
The upcoming visit is drawing attention because it could entail discussions regarding potential deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea.
“Carter is expected to arrive here on April 9 and leave on April 11,” said Kim Min-seok, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a regular briefing, Tuesday. “It is a tentative plan yet.”
Kim said that Carter, who was appointed last month, is seeking to exchange greetings with his South Korean counterpart.
Though Kim noted that THAAD is not on the meeting’s agenda, speculation is circulating over the possibility of dialog about the issue.
Carter has been advocating the U.S.-led missile defense (MD) system. He pledged during his confirmation hearing in February to significantly beef up the MD system, including deploying more ground-based missile interceptors in California and Alaska. At the time, he said intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) from North Korea could pose a “direct threat” to the country.
THAAD has a range of 200 kilometers and can reach an altitude of up to 150 kilometers.
Designed to intercept missiles during their final, or terminal, phase of flight, THAAD is widely regarded as a core part of the U.S. defense system.
The two countries have denied any formal discussions about THAAD deployment, but the U.S. has expressed a willingness to deploy it here to better deter threats from the repressive state and to guarantee the safety of around 28,000 U.S. troops and their families in South Korea.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey said last week that he had “productive conversations” with his South Korean counterpart, Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, in Seoul over an integrated air and missile-defense system. Officials said that THAAD was not on the agenda.
Last June, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti recommended THAAD deployment for South Korea.
The USFK recently admitted that a site inspection for THAAD deployment had been conducted.
The issue is forcing Seoul to walk a tightrope between its military ally Washington and No. 1 trading partner Beijing. China has been pressing South Korea to block the U.S. move, alleging that it could be used to nullify China's military strike capabilities.
Russia has also expressed its opposition to the deployment.
Regarding the thorny issue, President Park Geun-hye told her aides Tuesday not to be swayed by the speculation that South Korea is being sandwiched between the U.S. and China.
“What the government needs to do is secure enough information to make the overall and right judgment,” Park was quoted as saying by an aide who participated in a luncheon meeting with her.
Her remarks also referred to Seoul’s recent decision to join China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
“The government needs to carry out consistent policies regarding issues of foreign affairs and the economy,” Park said.
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