Seoul Vows To Proceed With THAAD Deployment

Local Editor

South Korea's determination to deploy its US THAAD anti-missile systems is widening the rift with its powerful neighbor China, who has urged Seoul to reconsider its decision.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry again reminded Seoul of its strategic "concerns" and "clear opposition" to Terminal High Altitude Area Defense [THAAD] deployment on South Korean soil after Washington and Seoul struck a deal in July amid new threats from North Korea.

"The THAAD deployment by the US in the ROK severely disrupts regional strategic balance, undermines the strategic security interests of regional countries including China, and does no good to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said during Thursday's press briefing.

Stressing that Beijing has "repeatedly expressed" its anxiety over the matter, China hopes a mutual agreement can be reached before the anti-missile system in South Korea is deployed by the end of 2017.

"We also hope that a proper solution that accommodates each other's concerns can be found through communication and consultation between China and the ROK," Geng said.

"We urge relevant parties to quit the deployment and stop traveling any farther down the erroneous path," the spokesman stressed.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry issued an almost immediate response stating that it will go ahead with the deployment.

"THAAD deployment is a sovereign and self-defensive measure," said South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesman, emphasizing that Seoul will not interrupt the deployment.

Seoul also summoned China's ambassador on Thursday, to protest China's alleged "retaliatory measures" over Korea's deployment decisions.

"The spokesperson clearly showed the position of the Korean government on pending issues," the ministry said. "We exchanged opinions on the THAAD issue, which is a concern of both governments," the South Korean spokesman added.

Over the last few months, Beijing has been active against South Korean interests in China over THAAD.

Beijing has banned the broadcast of South Korean TV programs and banned South Korean artists from appearing on Chinese programs.

China has also removed subsidies on cars equipped with Korean-made batteries and launched an investigation into Lotte, a Korean retail giant that does business in China.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team