South Korea’s president Moon halts deployment of more THAAD missile launchers until ‘environmental impact’ probe is done
Hundreds of Seongju residents have protested over what they see as potential hazards posed by the batteries
South Korea will suspend any further deployment of a controversial US missile defence system until an environmental impact assessment ordered by new President Moon Jae-in is finished, his office said Wednesday.
Seoul agreed last year under Moon’s ousted predecessor, Park Geun-hye, to deploy the powerful missile intercept system to guard against threats from nuclear-armed North Korea despite opposition from Beijing, which views it as a threat to its own military capabilities.
Two missile launchers have been deployed in the southern county of Seongju, where hundreds of residents have staged fierce protests over what they see as potential environmental hazards posed by the batteries used in the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system.
There is “no need to withdraw” the two launchers that have already been deployed, a senior official from the South’s presidential office said.