South Korea Accelerates Permanent Placement Of US Anti-Rudal Battery

Illustration of THAD United States. (Wikimedia Commons/US Navy/Lt. Amy Forsythe)

JAKARTA - The South Korean government is accelerating measures to convert US anti-missile batteries stationed in their country into permanent installations.

The High Altitude Area Defense Terminal (THAAD) system, capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles, was deployed in Seongju, South Korea's North Gyeongsang Province in 2017, to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

However, the anti-missile system was only temporarily installed, due to a strong reaction from China and its inhabitants of Seongju. Beijing claims that the THAAD radar can be used to spy on its military maneuvers. Meanwhile, the city resident in southeastern South Korea is concerned about the environmental impact.

On Friday, South Korea's Ministry of Defense and US Troops in Korea (USFK) said they had recently held joint exercises using the THAAD long-range launcher. This is the first exercise since anti-missile batteries were deployed here, according to the military, Friday.

"In the face of the threat of advanced DPRK missiles, our training of the THAAD troops increases the readiness of unitary combat, the combined defense posture in the alliance, demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting and defending South Korea, and further strengthens security and stability on the Korean Peninsula," USFK said in a statement. March 27th.

ROK stands for the official name of South Korea, Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is the official name of North Korea.

The government is expected to take steps to turn the THAAD base into a permanent installation in early July, with the Ministry of Environment expected to already have an environmental impact assessment to be caused.

Once the Ministry of Environment gives the green light, US troops will be allowed to begin the infrastructure development process and facilities for the THAAD base.

While concerns are growing that Seoul's move may lead to strong protests from Beijing, analysts view that China now has fewer retaliatory options than it did in 2017, given its economic slowdown and increased competition with Washington.

"Chigs will increase threats as the South Korean government continues to turn the THAAD unit into a permanent base. However, it does not seem that it will impose stronger sanctions than we saw in 2017," said Kang Joon-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk's University of Foreign Studies.

"In the midst of increasing competition with the US, China seems less willing to be hostile to neighboring countries. And North Korea's growing nuclear threat justifies the reason the South Korean government is to pursue stronger self-defense," he added.

Meanwhile, researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies Lee Dong-gyu echoed the sentiment, saying, "When the US increased its influence in Northeast Asia through trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan, retaliation against Seoul for THAAD could be counterproductive to China's own strategic interests."

"In addition, China's economy is currently experiencing a major crisis, so it will hesitate to impose economic sanctions on neighboring countries," he said.

However, Lee stressed that South Korea should remain vigilant against possible retaliation from China, by continuing its efforts to remind Beijing that the defense weapon system was not designed or able to threaten Beijing's security interests.