Analysis | North Korea’s nuclear test ‘puts China at disadvantage’
Pyongyang’s roundly condemned underground blast could hasten South Korea’s deployment of US missile defence system that Beijing claims would threaten its security
North Korea’s new nuclear test puts China at a further disadvantage in the diplomatic tug of war over an antiballistic missile system to be deployed in South Korea, mainland scholars say.
The underground test on Friday has drawn condemnation from world powers, including the US, Japan and South Korea, which said the “maniacal recklessness” of young ruler Kim Jong-un would lead to self-destruction. China said it “strongly opposed” the test and would communicate with Pyongyang’s embassy in the capital over the matter, according to the foreign ministry.
The test could accelerate the time table for deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, scholars said. According to Yonhap news agency, the system was expected to be operational by the end of next year at the latest.
“There were voices against its deployment within South Korea but the test will further provoke South Korea’s conservative camp in pushing forward the date,” said Cui Shiying, with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Seoul and Washington announced in July the deployment of THAAD, which they say is necessary to counter the threat from the North.
Cui, repeating the government’s official line, said the launch would not help solve the North Korean problem and only further provoke a regional arm race. “THAAD will also enable Seoul to increase surveillance of East and Central China,” Cui said.