{ "error": "", "type": "text", "title": "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Deployment - South Korea", "slug": "terminal-high-altitude-area-defense-thaad-deployment", "text": "
On July 8, 2016 the US and South Korea announced that Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries would be stationed on the Korean peninsula. On July 14, 2016 the US and South Korea announced the location for THAAD would be Seongju, roughly 100 miles south of South Korea\u2019s capital, Seoul. <\/strong> \"The findings published on Aug. 12 from a regular survey by Gallup Korea also showed 31% opposing the deployment. No major changes were found on opinions regarding China\u2019s importance in peace on the Korean Peninsula. [...] When asked which other country was most important to peace on the peninsula, 53% of respondents named the US, while 33% mentioned China, 2% mentioned Japan, and 1% mentioned Russia. [...] 'China has been vehemently objecting for the last month since the THAAD deployment decision was announced, but perceptions on relationships with neighbors have not changed much from last year,'Gallup observed.\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Residents sent letters for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, as well as candidates for the head of South Korea's Saenuri Party, asking what the candidates' positions on THAAD were and whether they are willing to retract the decision to deploy THAAD.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \"Basically, I oppose any introduction of (U.S.) weapons system (to my home country). The deployment of THAAD will encourage North Korea (DPRK) to produce more nuclear weapons. In the end, it will raise war risks.\" - Lee Jowoon, student<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cIf we continue to be divisive and social confusion grows about a decision we had no choice but to make to protect the country and the lives of our people, it would be exactly where North Korea wants us to go.\" \u2013President Park Geun-hye <\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201c'China is not likely to \u2018retaliate\u2019 against South Korea concerning the latter's decision to allow the U.S. military to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.'\u201d\u2014 Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn <\/a> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n \"The most reasonable way to conclude the dispute over THAAD deployment is to go through the process of getting the National Assembly's ratification. There is a mixture of opinions on the issue of whether the deployment of THAAD requires the ratification of the legislature. Those who say it does require legislative ratification point out that it is a matter of national security involving land use and expenditure, while the government cites the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement as making such approval unnecessary. However, the National Assembly Research Service has said, \"It is doubtful that one can reasonably interpret the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement or the Status of Forces Agreement as including the deployment of new weapons systems,\" clearly implying that THAAD deployment is an issue for ratification by the National Assembly.\" \"At a simulation test, if North Korea launches a medium-range Rodong missile near Mount Paekdu (located on its border with China), targeting Pyeongtaek, it is found that the THAAD missile may not be capable of intercepting it.\"\u2014 Chang Young-keun, professor at Korea Aerospace University<\/p> \"There is a controversy over the THAAD system's effectiveness, but the possibility itself that the system can intercept the enemy's missiles serves as a deterrent against (North Korea).\" \u2013 Yang Wook, senior researcher with the Korea Defense and Security Forum<\/p> \"A missile defense system is not yet a perfect technology, but it is meaningful that the THAAD system can provide protection for South Koreans at any rate. In addition, from the perspective of the Seoul-Washington alliance, we cannot reject the U.S. move to bring the system here.\" \u2013 Kim Sung-kurl, research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \"The primary goal of deploying THAAD here is to protect U.S. troops and its equipment. In that respect, do we need to compromise our diplomatic relations with Beijing, who bought 26 percent of all Korean exports last year by allowing the THAAD deployment?\" - Cheong Seong-chang, senior fellow at the Sejong Institute. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cThis is a matter we will decide upon according to our own security and national interests. The Chinese had better recognize this point.\u201d \u2013Jung Youn-kuk, a spokesman for President Park Geun-hye <\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cAccording to an ROK foreign ministry press release, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed during Wednesday (July 13) talks that \u2018deployment of THAAD will contribute to [raise] the joint defense capabilities of South Korea and the U.S.\u2019 and that \u2018North Korea's denuclearization is a key strategic interest of all regional countries, they agreed to coordinate closely while keeping the North's denuclearization a top priority.'\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cGrowing nuclear and missile threats are a very critical issue where the future of the Republic of Korea and the lives of our people are at stake. As president, I have the obligation to protect our people and nation.\u201d - President Park Geun-hye<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cOne day after the decision was formally announced by South Korea and the United States, the North tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile in the East Sea. The sea-based missile reportedly failed in its initial flight stage.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201c[The] measure aims \u2018to guarantee the security of [South Korea] and its people from the threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles, as well as to protect the military assets\" of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.\u2019\u201d - Deputy Defense Minister Yoo Jeh-seung <\/p><\/blockquote>\n \"We are currently monitoring reactions in China and will have to see how things turn out. But we are in a state of tension because if the Chinese were to stop traveling to Korea, it will deal a severe blow to the tourism industry, as the Chinese constitute around half of foreign tourists coming here.\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n\n\nSOUTH KOREA <\/h3>\n
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