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U.S. Starts Deploying Thaad Antimissile System in South Korea, After North’s Tests U.S. Starts Deploying Thaad Antimissile System in South Korea, After North’s Tests
(about 1 hour later)
HONG KONG — Increasingly concerned about the threats from North Korea’s provocative behavior, the United States said Tuesday it had started to deploy an antimissile system in South Korea that China has angrily opposed as a threat to its security. HONG KONG — Alarmed about the threats from North Korea’s increasingly provocative behavior, the United States said Tuesday that it had started to deploy an antimissile system in South Korea that China has angrily opposed as a threat to its security.
The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or Thaad, came after North Korea launched four ballistic missiles on Monday apparently in response to joint naval exercises by South Korea and the United States. Those launchings led South Korea to call for the accelerated deployment of Thaad. The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or Thaad, came after North Korea launched four ballistic missiles on Monday apparently in response to joint naval exercises by South Korea and the United States. Those launchings led South Korea to call for the accelerated deployment of Thaad.
“Continued provocative actions by North Korea, to include yesterday’s launch of multiple missiles, only confirm the prudence of our alliance decision last year to deploy Thaad to South Korea,” Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the United States Pacific commander, said in a statement. “We will resolutely honor our alliance commitments to South Korea and stand ready to defend ourselves, the American homeland and our allies.” A spokeswoman for the United States forces in South Korea said that one of five major components of the missile system had arrived on Monday. Officials said it could take a couple of months for the system to become fully operational.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had urged the South Koreans to move ahead with the deployment of the system during a visit to Seoul in February.
In telephone calls on Monday to South Korean and Japanese leaders, President Trump said the United States would stand with its Asian allies and take steps to defend against North Korea’s growing ballistic missile threat.
Mr. Trump emphasized that the United States was taking steps to “enhance our ability to deter and defend against North Korea’s ballistic missiles using the full range of United States military capabilities,” the White House said in a statement.
Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the commander of the United States Pacific Command, said “continued provocative actions by North Korea, to include yesterday’s launch of multiple missiles, only confirm the prudence of our alliance decision last year to deploy Thaad to South Korea.”
“We will resolutely honor our alliance commitments to South Korea and stand ready to defend ourselves, the American homeland and our allies,” the admiral said in a statement.
China has been particularly incensed over the deployment of the system, which it regards as an intrusion that could compromise its military capabilities.China has been particularly incensed over the deployment of the system, which it regards as an intrusion that could compromise its military capabilities.
Recently, Chinese media urged people to boycott South Korean products and companies. Other commentators have advocated additional stern measures, including severing diplomatic relations. Recently, the Chinese media urged people to boycott South Korean products and companies, and over the weekend hundreds of people protested at the outlets of a South Korean supermarket chain whose land is being used in the deployment of the system. Some held banners saying, “Get out of China.” Others have advocated additional stern measures, including severing diplomatic relations with South Korea.
A retired general, Luo Yuan, even suggested that China destroy the system with a military strike. “We could conduct a surgical hard-kill operation that would destroy the target,” General Luo wrote in The Global Times, a state-run newspaper. A retired general, Luo Yuan, even suggested that China destroy the system with a military strike. “We could conduct a surgical hard-kill operation that would destroy the target, paralyzing it and making it unable to hit back,” General Luo wrote in The Global Times, a state-run newspaper.
South Korea is in turmoil over the impeachment of president Park Geun-hye, who supported deploying Thaad. But with the president facing possible removal, the system’s fate had been in doubt, and its early deployment could make it harder for her successor to head off its installation. Neither the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Ministry of National Defense responded to faxed questions on Tuesday about the announcement of the deployment, which was reported by Chinese news media, citing South Korean news reports. Officials provided no official comment on it.
Last year, thousands of people in Seongju, a rural southern county, protested after learning that a Thaad battery would be put there. They said they feared that the system would harm their agricultural livelihoods. The missile system is being deployed as South Korea is embroiled in turmoil over the impeachment of president Park Geun-hye, who had been a supporter of deploying Thaad. But with the president facing possible removal from office over a corruption scandal, the fate of the system had been in doubt, and its accelerated deployment could make it harder for her successor to head off its installation.
Many South Koreans also worry that any expansion of military ties with the United States could worsen tensions with both the North and China. Maj. Rob Shuford, a spokesman for the United States Pacific Command, said it would be up to the South Korean government “to determine where that system will go.” In a phone interview, he declined to say when the system would be operational.
Last year, thousands of people in Seongju, a rural southern county, protested when it was announced that a Thaad battery would be established there. They said they feared that the system would harm their agricultural livelihoods.
Many South Koreans also worry that any expansion of military ties with the United States could worsen tensions with the North and China.
Under its deal with Washington, South Korea will provide land and build the base, but the United States will pay for the missile system, to be built by Lockheed Martin, as well as its operational costs.Under its deal with Washington, South Korea will provide land and build the base, but the United States will pay for the missile system, to be built by Lockheed Martin, as well as its operational costs.
The United States’ statement said “the first elements” of Thaad were deployed Monday, the same day as the North’s launchings. The United States military statement said that “the first elements” of Thaad were deployed on Monday, the same day as the North’s missile launchings.
“We will resolutely honor our alliance commitments to South Korea and stand ready to defend ourselves, the American homeland, and our allies,” Admiral Harris said.