TOKYO, April 26 (KUNA) -- US troops in South Korea on Wednesday began installing the equipment for an advanced missile defense system in the southeastern region, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The Pentagon announced that it plans to complete the process as early as possible in cooperation with South Korea's military.
The operation came six days after US Forces Korea secured the land in Seongju from the South Korean government. The allies signed a deal last year to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on the peninsula to help intercept North Korea's ballistic missiles. "We are working with South Korea to complete the deployment of THAAD, a defensive weapons system, to the South Korea as soon as feasible," the Pentagon said in response to Yonhap's query.
Deploying THAAD is a critical measure to defend South Korean people and alliance forces against North Korean missile threats, as highlighted by the recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea, it added. "North Korea's unlawful weapons programs represent a clear, grave threat to US national security," it said. "North Korea openly states that its ballistic missiles are intended to deliver nuclear weapons to strike cities in the US, South Korea, and Japan." South Korea's Ministry of National Defense also confirmed the start of full-scale deployment, with the test operation of the new system expected to start early next month. The allies plan to put the THAAD unit into full operation by the end of this year, according to the ministry. Meanwhile, the US dismissed China's claim that the planned operation of a THAAD battery on the peninsula will hurt its national security. Chinese officials are especially concerned about the so-called X-band radar, arguing its maximum detection range exceeds 2,000 kilometers. (end) mk.gta