Us Forces have begun setting up defense mechanisms on the South Korean soil in case of a North Korean attack. This United States move comes after North Korea launched ballistic missiles yesterday which broke international sanctions. US Forces call this defense system The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system or THAAD, for short.
Media outlets from South Korea said that the US had begun the deployment of this security system on Monday. Further, the outlets said parts for this system had been flown in from a US base to South Korea’s Seoul. A statement by the United States military confirmed that “first elements” of Thaad had been sent to South Korea. Yonhap, a news agency from South Korea, said Thaad could be ready “as early as April,” quoting a military official’s statements.
However, this South Korea-US government has faced disagreement from many in East Asia, including China. Geng Shuang, China’s foreign spokesman, said that the nation opposed this deployment to South Korea.
The Defence System is set to be able to eliminate oncoming missile threats when they are in the terminal phase after their launching. This would cause the elimination of such threats before they can have a full impact over the area they are deployed. Thaad has a range of 200 km, and its interceptor missiles can reach an altitude as high as 150 km.
Civilians fear that the installation of Thaad’s system could put lives of those living around the military site at risk. This is because the system itself could become a potential North Korean target if a war ensued. Further, the governments of China and Russia have expressed significant discomfort in the deployment of the system. They have opposed its establishment since its radar could reach deep into their countries and thus threaten the lives of citizens. Further, China says that Thaad’s capabilities went “far beyond” what the US and South Korean governments required to defend and launch attacks on North Korea. The Chinese government also said that Thaad interfered with its “strategic security interests”.
The deployment of Thaad’s system has been considered a necessary step in defending the security of South Korea aided by the United States. Earlier this week, North Korea launched four missiles from the Tongchang-ri region of its border with China. The move followed North Korea’s threats to the US and South Korean forces in response to their annual military exercises. These military exercises irate the North Korean government.
Following the launch of the missiles, they flew 1000 kilometers, and three of these ended in Japanese territory. The three missiles landed in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. US President Donald Trump held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regarding the issue. Both leaders claimed North Korea’s actions were “a clear challenge to the region and international community.” The Japanese Prime Minister added that threats from the country led by Kim Jong Un had “entered a new phase.”
The United Nations is scheduled to meet on Wednesday of this week to be able to discuss this new threat to international security. This will be an emergency meeting called on by the Japan and the US.
