THAAD to get Assembly support

By Kang Seung-woo

The country’s second-largest opposition party is showing signs of withdrawing its objection to the planned deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system here.

The move reflects growing public support for bringing a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to South Korea since North Korea’s fifth nuclear test on Sept. 9, along with repeated ballistic missile tests.

The People’s Party officially opposed THAAD deployment soon after the government announced the decision in July to allow the U.S. Forces Korea to deploy it amid evolving threats from North Korea.

“The government needs to use the THAAD deployment to draw support from China for sanctions against North Korea that continues to develop its nuclear program. However, should Beijing reject to punish the North, it would justify the THAAD deployment as a self-defense measure against the North Korean nuclear threat,” said Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a former co-chairman of the People’s Party, in a media interview Monday.

He also said his opposition to THAAD was based on the government’s hasty decision without enough discussions with China, the focal figure in terms of international sanctions on North Korea. Beijing still strongly opposes the missile shield, claiming that its presence would undermine its security interests.

Ahn’s fellow lawmakers also have begun to mention the need to reconsider the party platform on THAAD.

“Since North Korea’s fifth nuclear test and submarine-launched ballistic missile test Aug. 24, public opinion has leaned toward supporting THAAD deployment. Although we tentatively decided to oppose THAAD after much consideration, the people are concerned about national division in terms of security issues,” Rep. Kim Kwan-young, the party’s deputy floor leader, told reporters Sunday.

“So, we need to ask for all our party members’ opinions regarding THAAD deployment.”

Even interim leader Rep. Park Jie-won, who has led the opposition within the party, has seemingly softened his stance on the issue, hinting that he is seeking to put the issue to a National Assembly vote.

“The THAAD dispute should be brought to the table in parliament,” Park said in a speech Sept. 7, adding he also respects the opinions of THAAD supporters.

Bae Jong-chan, the chief director of political pollster Research and Research, said the minor opposition party was seeking an “exit plan” amid its declining approval rating.

“The People’s Party is a conservative-centrist group, but its supporters want the party to remain conservative in terms of security issues, as evidenced by a recent public poll,” he said.

According to a Gallup Korea survey, released last month, 51 percent of those who support the People’s Party backed the deployment, while 44 percent opposed it.

“Should they turn their back on the party, it will not be feasible for the party to field a competitive candidate in next year’s presidential election,” Bae said.

According to a public poll by local broadcaster MBC, last week, 65.1 percent of respondents favored THAAD deployment, compared to 29.3 percent who opposed it.