The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    BTS stars shine brighter as solo artists

  • 3

    North Korean escapees tell how nuclear tests ruined their health, hometown

  • 5

    ITZY's Lia takes break to put mental health first

  • 7

    USFK soldier, 2 women arrested for drug trafficking

  • 9

    Seventeen to drop 11th EP next month

  • 11

    Foreign ministry asks Japan to investigate case of Korean poisoned with bleach in Tokyo

  • 13

    Lamborghini driver suspect sent to prosecutors over parking dispute in Gangnam

  • 15

    Merck emphasizes digitalization in semiconductor market

  • 17

    Yanolja's aggressive expansion results in voluntary redundancy program

  • 19

    All BTS members renew contracts with HYBE: agency

  • 2

    '30 Days' promises laughter, unlikely romance

  • 4

    30 people purchased 8,000 homes: data

  • 6

    Rowoon leaves SF9 to focus on acting career

  • 8

    Korea urged to adopt China exit strategy amid hegemonic war

  • 10

    INTERVIEWPutin uses summit with NK leader to stop Seoul from helping Ukraine: expert

  • 12

    Unfreezing of funds not likely to restore Korea-Iran ties

  • 14

    Seoul plans to build Jamsil Sports MICE Complex

  • 16

    Netflix's 'Song of the Bandits' blends western action with Korean period series

  • 18

    Invasion of 'smart' albums

  • 20

    Global oil price surge stokes stagflation concerns

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, September 22, 2023 | 01:51
Defense
THAAD missiles replaced under surprise operation
Posted : 2020-05-29 17:11
Updated : 2020-05-29 19:54
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
A military truck carrying equipment for a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system enters a THAAD base under police protection in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap
A military truck carrying equipment for a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system enters a THAAD base under police protection in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

South Korea and the United States brought in updated interceptor missiles onto a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile base in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province in a surprise operation, Friday.


The operation took place as anti-THAAD protests have persisted, while China, despite reconciliation with the South, continues to protest the presence of the U.S missile shield here.

The Ministry of National Defense said the ground transportation operation, which began Thursday night and ended around 6 a.m., was to minimize friction with protesters opposed to THAAD.

The operation was to replace the older missiles, a power generator, electronic devices, and construction equipment needed for the battery as well as to improve living conditions of troops at the base. Multiple military and foreign ministry officials said Seoul notified Beijing about the operation in advance through "various channels" and "asked for Beijing's understanding."

"The new missiles are of the same type that the U.S. Forces Korea (UFSK) currently operates. As the mission was to replace expired ones, the number of updated ones is exactly the same as those to be taken out of the base," a defense ministry official said on condition of anonymity, The official did not elaborate on how many missiles were replaced.

Due to attempts by protesters to block people bringing in the equipment and other supplies to the base, the two allies usually used air transportation to move supplies.

Regarding the method of shipment this time, the official said it was made by ground as some of the items were too heavy and large to be airlifted.

The official also said the operation has nothing to do with the U.S. move improve its seven THAAD batteries in the region, including the one in Seongju.

Another ministry said the issue has been "fully explained to China."

Meanwhile, the USFK said in a statement it "periodically conducts vehicular resupply and support missions to its formations and installations across South Korea."

It said the move was to maintain a high "fight tonight" readiness level and to provide a robust combined defense posture to protect South Korea against any threat or adversary.

The USFK added the allies "have maintained close coordination, cooperation and collaborative efforts to ensure this mission is conducted to minimize and prevent any inconvenience in the least disruptive manner for the local Korean population and all parties involved."

The anti-THAAD protesters have cited environmental concerns in their opposition, and that the Moon Jae-in administration has scaled up the environmental study on the THAAD base.

China has stated that the THAAD deployment is against its national interests, and took retaliatory measures against Korean businesses after its initial deployment in 2017.

Seoul and Washington have stressed THAAD is to only intended to better cope with the growing missile threats posed by Pyongyang.




Emailyistory@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
Top 10 Stories
130 people purchased 8,000 homes: data 30 people purchased 8,000 homes: data
2National Assembly passes motion to arrest DPK chiefNational Assembly passes motion to arrest DPK chief
3Civil servant mentor reappointed as labor ministry spokesmanCivil servant mentor reappointed as labor ministry spokesman
4Gender equality minister nominee in hot seat over remarks on abortion Gender equality minister nominee in hot seat over remarks on abortion
5Seoul invites ambassadors to introduce new halal foods in KoreaSeoul invites ambassadors to introduce new halal foods in Korea
6KG Mobility seeks breakthrough in Europe KG Mobility seeks breakthrough in Europe
7S. Korea condemns Russia, seeks to mend ties with ChinaS. Korea condemns Russia, seeks to mend ties with China
8Honey-dipped cookie to represent 'K-desserts' at global food expo in Germany Honey-dipped cookie to represent 'K-desserts' at global food expo in Germany
9COVID-19 deaths hit record high in Korea for 2022COVID-19 deaths hit record high in Korea for 2022
10Shilla hotel in Da Nang recognized at World Travel Awards Shilla hotel in Da Nang recognized at World Travel Awards
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Aespa's VR concert to hit theaters Oct. 25 Aespa's VR concert to hit theaters Oct. 25
2Gang Dong-won becomes exorcist con artist in 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' Gang Dong-won becomes exorcist con artist in 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman'
3BTS defies K-pop's 'seven-year curse' BTS defies K-pop's 'seven-year curse'
4'30 Days' promises laughter, unlikely romance '30 Days' promises laughter, unlikely romance
5ITZY's Lia takes break to put mental health first ITZY's Lia takes break to put mental health first
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group