Rival parties differ over THAAD
By Kim Hyo-jin
Rival parties clashed Monday over the government’s decision to allow the United States Forces Korea to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.
The ruling Saenuri Party supported the decision, claiming it is a “self-defense measure” to ensure national security against North Korea’s missile threats.
But opposition parties denounced the plan, saying it lacks public consensus and could put relations with China and Russia in danger.
Minor opposition parties called for a parliamentary ratification or a referendum to settle the controversy. However, the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) remained cautious about the demand, saying there should be further discussion between the government and the Assembly.
“There was no process of seeking public consensus so it fueled public anger. And pre-consultation with the neighboring countries was disregarded drawing strong protests from China and Russia,” said MPK’s floor leader Rep. Woo Sang-ho during the Assembly’s defense committee meeting. “It was a policy debacle of the Park Geun-hye government.”
The MPK also raised questions over the efficacy of THAAD as a defensive measure against the North’s missiles targeting the South.
“It is absurd to deploy a battery that would shoot down ballistic missiles at a high altitude when they are unlikely to target the South,” said MPK lawmaker Lee Jong-kul.
Meanwhile, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, former co-chairman of the People’s Party, continued insisting that the decision to push ahead with the deployment should be put to a referendum.
“There are more things to lose than gain,” Ahn told reporters. “I believe a referendum can be a way-out for the President to overcome deepening public division over the issue.”
Ahn called on the government to consider carrying out a referendum, voicing concerns over the unfavorable impact on relations with China and the cost of the THAAD operation in a press release, Sunday.
The People’s Party stepped up an offensive against the government, arguing that the government should seek a parliamentary ratification if it hopes to push ahead with the plan.
“If it requires the country to lend part of our territory and budget to deploy THAAD, it becomes a subject that needs the Assembly’s consent,” Park said during a party meeting, referring to Article 60 of the Constitution.
He contends that the article can be applied to the case of THAAD deployment, though it specifically has to do with treaties. It stipulates that the Assembly has the right to consent to the conclusion and ratification of treaties pertaining to any restriction in sovereignty or treaties which will burden the people with an important financial obligation.
However, Rep. Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the main opposition party dismissed such calls as far-stretched opinions, dimming the prospect of a collective move by the opposition bloc.
“The government should put more effort into persuading the public while going through intensive discussions with the parliament,” Kim said. “Otherwise, the process of deploying the battery at a certain location could be a tough road.”