Conservative South Koreans who favor THAAD deployment confronted anti-THAAD activists near the site in Seongju.
June 27 (UPI) — Conservative South Koreans who favor THAAD deployment confronted anti-THAAD activists near the site in Seongju when they attempted to enter the local town hall.
More than 200 members of a coalition of conservative organizations, including irate Korean homemakers, began a rally outside the building around noon on Tuesday, South Korean news service News 1 reported.
As tensions mounted between the two factions, about 1,500 police were deployed to block potential conflict, which was avoided until about 5 p.m. when activists calling for the “prompt deployment of THAAD” began marching on town hall.
A Buddhist sect was holding an event on the road outside the building when the march began.
Won Buddhists protesting THAAD have called for its cancellation.
Facing police obstruction, the conservative activists demanded the “right of way quickly, ” citing the law.
Shouts were exchanged across the sides, and anti-THAAD activists blocked the road to prevent an escalation.
No injuries were reported.
South Korean activists who oppose THAAD have not stopped occupying the town hall and outlying areas since the missile defense system was deployed in April.
To settle the dispute, South Korea’s Vice Minister of National Defense Seo Joo-seok said, “Government measures would actively reflect” residential concerns about the environmental impact of THAAD, local newspaper Maeil Business reported.
Seo was meeting with residents near the THAAD site for the first time, according to the report.
