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WORLD NEWSWednesday 8 March 2017
US moves controversial missile defense to South Korea
KIM TONG-HYUNG In this photo provided by U.S. Forces Korea, a truck carrying parts of U.S. missile launchers and in our conversations with
Associated Press other equipment needed to set up the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile de- China that this is not meant
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — fense system arrive at Osan air base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Monday, March 6, 2017. The to be a threat, and is not a
U.S. missile launchers and U.S. military has begun moving equipment for the controversial missile defense system to ally threat to them or any other
other equipment needed South Korea. The announcement Tuesday by the U.S. military comes a day after North Korea test- power in the region,” he
to set up a controversial launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan. told reporters in Washing-
missile defense system ton.
have arrived in South Ko- (U.S. Force Korea via AP) Asked about U.N. reac-
rea, the U.S. and South tion to the dispute over
Korean militaries said Tues- our alliance decision last “China firmly opposes the We once again strongly THAAD’s deployment, U.N.
day, a day after North Ko- year to deploy THAAD to deployment of THAAD,” urge the relevant sides to deputy spokesman Farhan
rea test-fired four ballistic South Korea,” Adm. Harry Chinese Foreign Ministry stop the process of de- Haq said: “We hope that
missiles into the ocean Harris, head of the U.S. Pa- spokesman Geng Shuang ployment and refrain from efforts will be stepped up
near Japan. cific Command, said in a said at a regular briefing going further down that to find a path to reduce
The plans to deploy the Ter- statement. Tuesday. wrong path.” tensions and to work for
minal High-Altitude Area Some South Korean liberal “We will definitely be tak- State Department acting denuclearization of the Ko-
Defense system, or THAAD, presidential candidates ing necessary measures to spokesman Mark Toner said rean Peninsula.”
within this year have an- have said that the security safeguard our own security THAAD is a defensive sys- China’s condemnation of
gered not only North Ko- benefits of having THAAD interest. tem being put in place be- South Korean plans to de-
rea, but also China and would be curtailed by wors- All consequences entailed cause of North Korea’s pro- ploy THAAD has triggered
Russia, which see the sys- ened relations with neigh- from that will be borne by vocative behavior. protests against a South Ko-
tem’s powerful radars as a bors China and Russia. the U.S. and (South Korea). “We have been very clear rean hypermarket chain,
security threat. Lotte Mart, whose parent
China responded quickly, company agreed to pro-
saying it will take “neces- vide one of its golf courses
sary measures” to protect in southern South Korea as
itself and warning that the site of THAAD.
the U.S. and South Ko- Visits by South Korean film
rea should be prepared to stars and singers have
bear the consequences. been canceled and ship-
Washington and Seoul say ments of South Korean cos-
the system is defensive and metics have been held up
not meant to be a threat at customs.
to Beijing or Moscow. The Experts say China could
U.S. military said THAAD also send Chinese coast
can intercept and destroy guard ships to escort fishing
short and medium-range boats into waters claimed
ballistic missiles during the by South Korea, dispatch
last part of their flights. military aircraft and ships
“Continued provocative into South Korean air and
actions by North Korea, to sea space, and suggest
include yesterday’s launch that it might do less to re-
of multiple missiles, only strain North Korea from
confirm the prudence of provocative behavior.q
