China and Russia criticize U.S. move to deploy THAAD missile defense in S. Korea
Asia-Pacific, News, US July 8, 2016 1 Comment on China and Russia criticize U.S. move to deploy THAAD missile defense in S. KoreaUnited States would deploy a high-tech missile defense system in South Korea, allowing Seoul to intercept incoming projectiles. China and Russia say the deployment will destabilize the balance of power.
The United States and South Korea have confirmed on Friday that they will deploy an advanced missile defence system in South Korea to counter a threat from North Korea.
The move triggered swift and explicit sharp response from China and Russia, both strongly opposing the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system will be used only as protection against North Korea’s growing nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, the South Korea’s Defence Ministry and the U.S. Defence Department said in a joint statement.
The United States and South Korea have been carrying out “formal consultations regarding the feasibility of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery operated by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) since early February,” the joint statement read.
Seoul and Washington launched formal talks on deploying the THAAD after North Korea conducted a nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch earlier this year.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to install an advanced missile system in the Korean Peninsula to tackle neighboring North Korea’s nuclear and missile threat, the two countries said Friday.
“The ROK [Republic of Korea] and the United States made an Alliance decision to deploy THAAD to USFK as a defensive measure to ensure the security of the ROK and its people, and to protect Alliance military forces from North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile threats,” the statement said, adding, “When the THAAD system is deployed to the Korean Peninsula, it will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and would not be directed towards any third party nations.”
South Korean Defence Ministry’s Deputy Minister (right) shakes hands with the commander of US Forces Korea’s Eighth Army Lieutenant General at a news conference about deploying Thaad. Photo: REUTERS
Beijing and Moscow say THAAD deployment could help U.S. radars spot missiles in their countries.
China strongly opposes the decision to deploy THAAD missile system on South Korean soil
China’s foreign ministry said it strongly opposes the decision by South Korea and the United States to deploy an advanced anti-ballistic missile system on South Korean soil.
China expressed “strong discontent and firm opposition” against the two countries’ agreement to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
“The THAAD system does not help achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and also hurts peace and stability in the region,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Beijing warned that if the system is deployed, it will “seriously” impair China and other countries’ strategic interests and security balance in Northeast Asia.
Russia says missile system deployment will provoke tensions in the region
Russian foreign ministry said Friday that the deployment of a U.S. anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea will only aggravate tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
“Such actions, no matter how they are explained, very negatively affect global strategic security, adherence to which is so often discussed by Washington. They may also result in escalation of tensions in the region, new difficulties for resolving acute problems of the Korean Peninsula, including the task of its denuclearization,” the foreign ministry said, Russia’s Tass news agency reported.
Seoul already has an anti-missile defence based on the US Patriot system, but this can only target missiles at relatively low altitudes. The new system is able to hit missiles at a much greater height, making it more effective against rockets that could be carrying a nuclear warhead.
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[…] China and Russia say the system would threaten security, stability, and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Russian and Chinese officials also say that the move would put their military assets within the range of US radars. […]