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Thaad: US begins deploying missile defence system in South Korea Thaad: US begins deploying missile defence system in South Korea
(about 2 hours later)
The US military says it has begun deploying a controversial missile defence system in South Korea.The US military says it has begun deploying a controversial missile defence system in South Korea.
The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (Thaad) is designed to protect against threats from North Korea.The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (Thaad) is designed to protect against threats from North Korea.
The move to begin installing the system comes a day after the North launched four ballistic missiles, breaking international sanctions.The move to begin installing the system comes a day after the North launched four ballistic missiles, breaking international sanctions.
But its planned deployment has angered many in North and South Korea and around the region.But its planned deployment has angered many in North and South Korea and around the region.
China is furious at what it sees as an encroachment of US military power, while many South Koreans believe the defence system will become a target, endangering people who live around the military sites. South Korean news agency Yonhap said operations to install a Thaad battery had begun on Monday, with some parts flown from the US to an air base near Seoul.
South Korea has said the system would be operational by the end of the year.
US President Donald Trump has vowed to thwart North Korea's plans to build and launch an intercontinental missile capable of reaching the US, saying in January that it "won't happen".
What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)?What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)?
What impact will S Korea's expanded missile defence system have?What impact will S Korea's expanded missile defence system have?
1. The enemy launches a missile1. The enemy launches a missile
2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control
3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile
4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile
5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight
The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles.The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles.
Pyongyang had threatened last Friday that it would fire missiles in response to the start of the Foal Eagle US-South Korean military exercises. The annual drills infuriate the North, which sees them as preparation for an invasion from the South. Why is it controversial?
Then early on Monday, it fired the four missiles from the Tongchang-ri region, near the border with China. Many South Koreans believe the defence system will become a target, endangering people who live around the military sites, and opponents have staged multiple demonstrations.
In August last year, residents of the south-eastern Seongju region earmarked for Thaad had their heads shaved in a show of protest.
China is also furious at at deployment of the system. The BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul points to Chinese fears that it might be able to see deep into Chinese territory, which could shift the balance of power in the region.
There has also been an outpouring of anger by Chinese consumers against the South Korean retailer Lotte, which allowed Thaad to be installed on one of its sites.
Is China retaliating against Lotte missile deal?
What happened in the latest missile launch?
Then early on Monday, Pyongyang fired four missiles from the Tongchang-ri region, near the border with China.
The type of projectile used remains unclear, but three flew some 1,000km (620 miles) and fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).The type of projectile used remains unclear, but three flew some 1,000km (620 miles) and fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the South Pacific Command, said the launch confirmed "the prudence of our alliance decision last year to deploy Thaad to South Korea". Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the US South Pacific Command, said the launch confirmed "the prudence" of the decision to deploy Thaad.
The deployment was agreed under President Barack Obama, but Admiral Harris said the US would "resolutely honour our alliance commitments to South Korea and stand ready to defend ourselves, the American homeland, and our allies". North Korea had threatened last week to fire missiles in response to the start of the Foal Eagle US-South Korean military exercises. The annual drills infuriate the North, which sees them as preparation for an invasion from the South.
The US has about 24,000 of its own military personnel based in South Korea. What was the international reaction?
Meanwhile, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said he and US President Donald Trump have agreed that the launch was "a clear challenge to the region and international community". Mr Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have held phone discussions. The two leaders agreed that the launch was "a clear challenge to the region and international community". Mr Abe added that the threat from North Korea had "entered a new phase".
They agreed the threat from North Korea has "entered a new phase", Mr Abe said. The United Nations security council is due to meet on Wednesday in an emergency meeting requested by the US and Japan to discuss the incident.
North Korea has repeatedly said its missile and space programme is peaceful but it is believed to be developing an intercontinental ballistic missile that could strike the US. North Korean missile launches are usually followed by global sanctions rather than military action.
Monday's launches were just the latest in a long series of tests of North Korean missile technology, which experts say is likely to be improving with each successive firing.
It has also tested five nuclear devices, but most observers believe it is still some way from being able to miniaturise nuclear warheads so they could fit on to a missile.
Pyongyang said the latest launches were overseen by leader Kim Jong-un and conducted by a unit tasked with carrying out attacks on US bases in Japan.
The state news agency, KCNA, said Mr Kim had praised the missiles as being "so accurate that they look like acrobatic flying corps in formation".