South Korea does not aim to change its agreement on the deployment of a U. S. anti-missile system to protect against North Korea, despite a decision to delay its full installation, Seoul’ s to…<\/b>
\nSouth Korea does not aim to change its agreement on the deployment of a U. S. anti-missile system to protect against North Korea, despite a decision to delay its full installation, Seoul\u2019s top national security adviser said Friday.
Chung Eui-yong called the decision to delay installation of remaining launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, pending a review of its environmental impact, a domestic measure to ensure a democratic process.
\u201cThe decision to introduce THAAD was made to protect South Korea and the U. S. forces in South Korea from a growing threat from the North. We won\u2019 t take this decision lightly, \u201d Chung told a news briefing.
He said South Korea would discuss ways to strengthen the joint defense against North Korea\u2019s weapons programs during a summit between new South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U. S. President Donald Trump in late June.
P \u200b artially installed
Two launchers of a full six-launcher THAAD battery, as well as the system\u2019s far-reaching radar, which China worries could upset the regional security balance, have been installed on an old golf course in South Korea\u2019s southeastern city of Seongju.
Moon\u2019s office said Wednesday that deployment of the four remaining launchers would be halted for the environmental assessment, which may take more than a year, according to a senior administration official.
Moon vowed in his election campaign to review the decision to deploy THAAD, which was made by his conservative predecessor, Park Geun-hye, greatly angering South Korea\u2019s neighbor China, an important trading partner, and some domestic critics.
U. S. officials have sought to play down the impact on relations with South Korea, a long-time treaty ally where more than 28,000 troops are based, although a Pentagon spokesman made clear it would like to see the full battery installed.
\u201cWe believe considering the threat from North Korea, a full THAAD battery is the best addition to the defense of [South Korea] , \u201d Commander Gary Ross said.
\u200b A response to North Korea
A senior official of the U. S. administration told Reuters that U. S. diplomats had sought clarification from South Korean officials as to whether the environmental review was a prelude for a rejection of the whole THAAD system, and were assured that South Korea planned to uphold its end of the agreement.
The issue was discussed by Trump, U. S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at a White House meeting Thursday.
A State Department spokeswoman, Katina Adams, said the decision to deploy THAAD was an essential response to North Korea\u2019s fast-developing nuclear and missiles programs, which has seen dozens of launches and two bomb tests since the start of last year.
\u201cEach launch … further demonstrates the rationale and necessity of the U. S.- [South Korea] Alliance agreement to deploy THAAD, \u201d she said.
The State Department said U. S. Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon would visit Seoul from Tuesday to Thursday next week after a stop in Tokyo Monday to discuss responses to North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has spoken of his aim to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the mainland United States with a nuclear weapon, presenting Trump with perhaps his most pressing security problem and underscoring the need for close cooperation with Seoul.
Nevertheless, Trump, who campaigned on a populist \u201cAmerica First\u201d platform, risked increased tensions with the U. S. ally when he told Reuters in an interview just before Moon\u2019s election he would either renegotiate or terminate a \u201chorrible\u201d free trade deal with South Korea and said Seoul should pay for THAAD, which he priced at $1 billion.<\/p>\n