This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39775854
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
US anti-missile system operational in South Korea | US anti-missile system operational in South Korea |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The US military says its controversial Thaad missile defence system is now operational in South Korea. | The US military says its controversial Thaad missile defence system is now operational in South Korea. |
The system can intercept North Korean missiles although full operational capability is still some months away. | The system can intercept North Korean missiles although full operational capability is still some months away. |
Tensions have been rising around the Korean peninsula, with repeated threats from North Korea and the presence of a group of US warships and a submarine. | Tensions have been rising around the Korean peninsula, with repeated threats from North Korea and the presence of a group of US warships and a submarine. |
North Korea reacted angrily to the latest military exercise, accusing the US of risking a nuclear war. | North Korea reacted angrily to the latest military exercise, accusing the US of risking a nuclear war. |
The rise in tension comes only a day after US President Donald Trump said he would be "honoured" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in the right circumstances. | The rise in tension comes only a day after US President Donald Trump said he would be "honoured" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in the right circumstances. |
The US announced last week it would activate Thaad, which was not expected to be in use until late 2017, within days. | The US announced last week it would activate Thaad, which was not expected to be in use until late 2017, within days. |
Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, has been installed at a former golf course in the central county of Seongju, amid angry protests. | Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, has been installed at a former golf course in the central county of Seongju, amid angry protests. |
Many locals believe the system is a potential target for attacks and endangers the lives of those living nearby. | Many locals believe the system is a potential target for attacks and endangers the lives of those living nearby. |
China also strongly opposes the system, believing it interferes with the security of its own military operations. On Tuesday, it demanded the deployment be halted. | |
Beijing would "firmly take necessary measures to uphold our interests", foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said. | |
However, Mr Geng welcomed Mr Trump's suggestion of meeting Kim Jong-un, saying China had "always believed that dialogue and consultation... is the only realistic and viable way to achieve denuclearisation". | |
When the announcement of the Thaad deployment was made last year, North Korea promised a "physical response", with state media expressing the "unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike". | When the announcement of the Thaad deployment was made last year, North Korea promised a "physical response", with state media expressing the "unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike". |
A spokesman for the US forces based in South Korea said Thaad now had "the ability to defend the Republic of Korea". | A spokesman for the US forces based in South Korea said Thaad now had "the ability to defend the Republic of Korea". |
But the system only has "initial intercept capability", a US defence official told AFP. It will be strengthened later this year as more parts of the system arrive. | But the system only has "initial intercept capability", a US defence official told AFP. It will be strengthened later this year as more parts of the system arrive. |
North Korea and the US have traded heated rhetoric in recent weeks as Pyongyang continues to defy a UN ban on missile tests. | North Korea and the US have traded heated rhetoric in recent weeks as Pyongyang continues to defy a UN ban on missile tests. |
North Korea has carried out two failed missile launches in recent weeks and has said it is ready to carry out its sixth nuclear test at any time. | North Korea has carried out two failed missile launches in recent weeks and has said it is ready to carry out its sixth nuclear test at any time. |
The North reacted angrily on Tuesday to a joint US-South Korea military exercise the day before involving two supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers, which it said was a "nuclear bomb dropping drill". | The North reacted angrily on Tuesday to a joint US-South Korea military exercise the day before involving two supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers, which it said was a "nuclear bomb dropping drill". |
"The reckless military provocation is pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula closer to the brink of nuclear war," the North's official KCNA news agency said. | "The reckless military provocation is pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula closer to the brink of nuclear war," the North's official KCNA news agency said. |
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 missile | 1. The enemy launches a missile |
2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control | 2. 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 missile | 3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile |
4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile | 4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile |
5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight | 5. 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. |