hankyoreh

By Park Byong-su, senior staff writer

Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin revealed on June 18 that he would not oppose the deployment of a terminal high-altitude area defense (THAAD) system in South Korea.

When asked, “Do you mean that you would not oppose the use of THAAD if it was funded using the US military budget and not from our pockets?” the Defense Minister replied “I mean that it [THAAD] has advantages”. At a meeting of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Kim added, “If U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) deploy a THAAD, it could be used together with the Patriot, our ground-to-air interceptor. This would enhance our ability to intercept North Korea’s ballistic missiles.”

But, Kim added, “South Korea has no plans to buy and deploy THAAD”.

This controversial statement reaffirms Kim’s promises that South Korea will not purchase an American missile defense system while also hinting at welcoming such technology if it was brought in by USFK.

The Ministry of National Defense had assured the public that South Korea would not purchase a THAAD, but recently USFK commander Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti caused a stir when he mentioned that there was a chance that the missile defense system will be deployed in South Korea. “I recommended the deployment of the THAAD. An initial review is being conducted,” said Scaparrotti at a forum in Seoul on June 3.

China has responded sensitively to suggestions that South Korea might be planning to adopt the US military defense system. Beijing’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said last month, “deploying missile defense on the Korean peninsula would not be in the interest of regional stability or strategic balance.”

Defense Minister Kim responded, “The altitude at which it [THAAD] can intercept ballistic missiles is limited. If you take into consideration the limited altitude, its operational reach is defined within the Korean peninsula.” He added, “The presence of a THAAD is in no way a threat to China.”

China is reportedly concerned about the X-band radar that is integrated into the THAAD system. The radar’s detection range exceeds 1,000km, meaning it could reach China’s vital east coast.

In any case, nothing is confirmed. Kim Kwan-jin said, “We have not yet received a request from USFK to examine its deployment. All I know is that it’s being internally debated in the US.”

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