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US to deploy missile defense system to S Korea

Friday, 13 March 2015 6:22 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 March 2015 6:22 PM ]

(FILES) This undated handout file photo released by the Korean Central News Agency on January 5, 2009 shows a missile-firing drill at an undisclosed location in North Korea. North Korea fired seven surface-to-air missiles into the sea off its east coast on March 12 in an operation supervised by leader Kim Jong-Un at a time of heightened military tensions, South Korea

Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul

The United States has moved closer to deploying its most advanced anti-ballistic weapons system to South Korea. In a statement, the United States Forces Korea laid out its argument.

A THAAD unit would provide benefits to the defense of the Republic of Korea against the North Korean missile threat by augmenting the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system and U.S. Patriot systems in Korea.

Some analysts argue Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, THAAD, would not be effective in defending South Korea from the North. Pyongyang has many weapons, including long-range artillery, which the expensive anti-ballistic missile system does not address. Others suggest such US weapons buildup in the country will only escalate tension.

The deployment of the US weapons system is strongly opposed by China, which has offered South Korea incentives to block the US move. Experts say the issue will affect Seoul-Beijing ties.

The US statement attempts to dispel widespread media speculation of the deployment. On Friday, North Korea fired 7 rockets in an apparent show of protest against ongoing large-scale US-South Korea military exercises.

While the US admitted that it had conducted surveys of possible deployment sites, it suggested no decision had been made on stationing the anti-ballistic missile batteries. The US Forces Korea public affairs office also indicated that Seoul’s permission for deployment is not required, but THAAD installation would only take place after South Korea had been consulted and notified.

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