US Warned over Missile system Deployment to S. Korea

Local Editor

Moscow on Wednesday warned that Washington's deployment of a US missile defense system to South Korea could spark an arms race in the region.

In the context, South Korean and US officials said last week they would begin formal talks on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System [THAAD] system in response to North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry: "The appearance of elements of the US global missile defense system in the region can provoke an arms race in Northeast Asia and complicate the resolution of the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula."

"On a more global scale, this step can increase the destructive influence of the US global missile system on international security and stability."

The foreign ministry further reiterated that Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests "could not but inspire strong condemnation" but accused Washington of using them to expand its missile system.

For its part, China also argued it would undermine stability in the delicately balanced region.

Relatively, Pyongyang considered that the deployment of a missile defense system would be a Cold War tactic to "contain" China and Russia.

The THAAD system, in service since 2008, includes truck-mounted launchers, radars, interceptor missiles and global communications links.

Meanwhile, five THAAD batteries are currently operational, according to the Pentagon's Missile Agency, and two more were ordered in 2014.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team