USFK commander says deployment of THAAD is in initial review

Posted on : 2014-06-04 14:23 KST Modified on : 2014-06-04 14:23 KST
China objects to missile defense on the Korean peninsula
 commander of United States Forces Korea gives a speech at a national defense forum organized by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA)
commander of United States Forces Korea gives a speech at a national defense forum organized by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA)

By Park Byong-su, senior staff writer

On June 3, Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of United States Forces Korea and head of the UN Command, made remarks about the deployment of THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. “Unlike recent media reports claiming that a preliminary study is currently underway, it would be more accurate to say that an initial review is being conducted,” Gen. Scaparrotti said.

Gen. Scaparrotti delivered an address over lunch during a national defense forum organized by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), which took place at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on June 3. “I recommended the deployment of the THAAD missiles to South Korea,” the general said during his address. This is the first time that the US military has publicly announced that it is considering deploying THAAD in South Korea.

With an interception range of 40 to 150 km, THAAD is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles at the highest point (at least 40 km) of their descent, the third stage of their trajectory, following the boost and the mid-course phase. The South Korean government has held that it is planning to develop a domestic missile defense program (Korean Air and Missile Defense System, or KAMD) instead of implementing THAAD.

But given that THAAD is a key component of US missile defense, Gen. Scaparrotti’s remarks about reviewing the possibility of deploying THAAD are likely to spur allegations that South Korea is being brought into the US missile defense system. In particular, the comments are expected to take a toll on China-South Korea relations, since China is uncomfortable with the idea of bringing THAAD to South Korea.

In fact, when asked about a foreign media report that the US is reviewing the option of deploying THAAD in South Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang objected, saying that “deploying missile defense on the Korean peninsula would not be in the interest of regional stability or strategic balance.”

“The detection range of the X-band radar, which is operated in conjunction with THAAD, is more than 1,000 km, and China appears to be concerned that Beijing, Shanghai, and other key regions on its eastern seaboard will all be monitored by this radar,” a South Korean military officer said.

“As of now, the US has not decided whether to deploy THAAD in South Korea, nor has it ever officially discussed the issue with South Korea,” said Gen. Scaparrotti in regard to this. “In the event that it is deployed following bilateral deliberations between the two countries, the focus would be placed solely on defending South Korea.”

When asked about the government’s position during the regular press briefing on June 3, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson Kim Min-seok left open the possibility. “If the US makes an official request for our cooperation, at that point the Defense Ministry will review the request on behalf of the government,” Kim said.

 

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