[Editorial] It’s time to be clear about THAAD, and say ‘no’

Posted on : 2015-05-20 16:38 KST Modified on : 2015-05-20 16:38 KST
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High-ranking US officials are once again pressuring Seoul to accept the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the Korean Peninsula. The current push also seems intended to pave the way for discussions at next month’s bilateral summit, when President Park Geun-hye visits the US. Here‘s hoping the South Korean government avoids unnecessary controversy by sending a clear message of “no.”

While visiting USFK’s Yongsan Garrison in Seoul on May 18, US Secretary of State John Kerry made remarks that suggest the US is still pushing for a THAAD deployment. This is inappropriate of him as the chief diplomatic official of an ally. Not a word was spoken about the issue during a foreign ministers’ meeting that afternoon, or during his meeting with President Park Geun-hye. The US Embassy said Kerry’s remarks were intended for the “audience back home.” That suggests that the USFK base was chosen as a setting for drumming up support to put pressure on Seoul. USFK Commander Curtis Scaparrotti was more to the point on May 18 when he said the two countries were “each considering” the THAAD matter and when a deployment would be appropriate. If true, this would mean Seoul has been feeding the public a line with its insistence on the “three nos” - no request from the US, no discussions, and no decision.

The context of their remarks about the THAAD issue was also questionable. Kerry stressed the need “to be prepared for every eventual outcome” with the North Korea threat, adding that “this is why . . . we are talking about THAAD.” During his talks that day, he emphasized the danger posed by the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test recently announced by North Korea. Scaparrotti also cited it as a chief example of the “evolving North Korea threat.” In other words, the test was used as new evidence of the need for THAAD. But numerous experts have already pointed out that THAAD is basically useless for detecting or intercepting SLBMs. Not only that, but the underlying assumption - that North Korea would fire a ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead toward the South - is unrealistic.

When it comes to THAAD, a few things are clear. First, China, Russia, and North Korea are all adamantly opposed. Also, for all the astronomical costs of its deployment and operation, its actual missile defense capabilities have yet to be verified. A THAAD deployment would put the Korean Peninsula on the front lines of the conflicts in Northeast Asia, and make solving the North Korean nuclear and missile issues that much harder.

One big reason we keep having this debate over and over is the vagueness coming from Seoul. A lot of people within the administration are asking what the problem would be with a THAAD deployment if South Korea is not being asked to share the costs. Seoul needs to stop being passive and looking to the US, and start making itself clear.

 

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