Residents, THAAD supporters clash in Seongju

THAAD supporters hold a rally near the site of the U.S. missile defense system in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

The deployment of a U.S. anti-missile battery, known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, has increasingly become a subject of rallies in Korea both for and against it.

Following last week’s rally of 400 THAAD supporters at Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province ― the site for the battery, 700 people, mostly from right-wing civic groups, held another rally there, raising tensions with angry residents.

THAAD supporters marched near the community hall, which has been used as a base for the residents who are opposed to it.

Some of the marchers waved Korean and U.S. flags, while others held signs. “If THAAD leaves, it will leave with peace and war will come,” read one.

They demanded the government immediately start the full deployment of the missile shield and its operation.

No major incidents occurred during the rally. Police deployed about 1,500 officers to the area in case of an emergency.

Yet this rally will likely be the beginning, not the end, of tension-provoking events in Seongju. Members of right-wing groups have notified police of more rallies scheduled until July 13.

Before the rally, Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk visited Seongju to placate its residents. He explained the government’s position on the issue and listened to their demands during a meeting with representatives of the city.

According to the residents who participated in the one-and-a-half-hour conversation, he did not give specific answers to most of their demands, including removing THAAD entirely, but promised to allow the residents to participate in the upcoming environment assessment of the battery site.

In a statement released later, the ministry said Suh urged the residents to cooperate on the THAAD decision, which was made both by Korea and the United States to cope with nuclear threats from North Korea.

The ministry also said he sent a clear message that it won’t accept THAAD protesters’ illegal attempts to hamper the system installation.

The dispute over THAAD emerged as the first key security challenge for President Moon Jae-in, who will meet his counterpart Donald Trump for the first time in the United States later this week.