Seoul has ‘no more plans’ to deploy China-opposed US THAAD missiles, hopes for Xi-Yoon summit

Beijing says US missile defence system is a threat to its security and urged Seoul to follow former regime’s stance of no additional THAAD deployments

Seoul is also hoping to hold a first summit between Yoon Suk-yeol and China’s Xi Jinping when both hopefully attend the G20 summit in Bali in November

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A US missile defense system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is installed at a golf course in Seongju, South Korea. Photo: Yonhap via AP/File

Published: 8:00pm, 7 Sep 2022Updated: 7:38am, 8 Sep 2022

Seoul has no immediate plan to deploy more China opposed US-controlled missile defence batteries, a high-ranking South Korean official said on Wednesday. The comments come amid hopes that President Yoon Suk-yeol will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping as early as November.

The official also confirmed China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu plans to visit Seoul next week amid speculation that Li could meet with Yoon to discuss the South Korean leader’s first summit with Xi.

“Currently, we are not considering deploying more THAAD batteries,” he told journalists in reference to the sophisticated US missile defence system. Beijing is opposed to the system and claims THAAD is a direct threat to its own security.

The official made the statement as South Korea is seeking to normalise access to the THAAD base in Soseong-ri farming village in the southeastern county of Seongju where protesters have set up roadblocks and staged sit-ins to block traffic to the site.

Basic amenities and facilities to accommodate US soldiers working at the base are also not yet in place, forcing them to “live in tents and shipping containers,” Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said last month.

Construction projects at the base have been delayed for years as helicopter lifts for personnel and supplies are sometimes required due to the blockades and protests.

Since its deployment in September 2017, the THAAD battery has been functioning normally in military terms, ready to detect North Korea’s ballistic missiles and intercept them as required.

Yoon, elected in May, said during his campaign that he would deploy more THAAD batteries if necessary, accusing then president Moon Jae-in of being weak-kneed in the face of pressure from Beijing.