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No discussions on possible location shift of THAAD launchers in S. Korea
No discussions on possible location shift of THAAD launchers in S. Korea: defense ministry
All Headlines 16:48 February 14, 2020
By Oh Seok-min Yonhap News Agency
...Earlier, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency hinted at the possibility of separating the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) unit's launchers in the central county of Seongju in order to secure greater flexibility in its operation.
It is part of the U.S. plan to upgrade its seven THAAD batteries and related training equipment deployed around the world, for which the U.S. government sought a US$1 billion budget for next year. One of the batteries is a full six-launcher THAAD unit installed in Seongju in 2017-2018.
The relocation idea would meet strong opposition from local residents, and could spark the ire of China, which has long railed against the THAAD deployment, saying that the system could be used to spy on the country and hurts its national security interests.
On Friday, Seoul's defense ministry spokesperson, Choi Hyun-soo, said that Seoul and Washington "have never discussed such a matter as moving (the battery or launchers) outside the Seongju base."...
It is part of the U.S. plan to upgrade its seven THAAD batteries and related training equipment deployed around the world, for which the U.S. government sought a US$1 billion budget for next year. One of the batteries is a full six-launcher THAAD unit installed in Seongju in 2017-2018.
The relocation idea would meet strong opposition from local residents, and could spark the ire of China, which has long railed against the THAAD deployment, saying that the system could be used to spy on the country and hurts its national security interests.
On Friday, Seoul's defense ministry spokesperson, Choi Hyun-soo, said that Seoul and Washington "have never discussed such a matter as moving (the battery or launchers) outside the Seongju base."...
More:
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200214006151325?input=tw
THAAD controversy resurfaces as US seeks to extend range
Posted : 2020-02-14 17:03Updated : 2020-02-14 18:30
Korea Times By Kang Seung-woo
Korea is back in the hot seat as the U.S. military has announced plans to improve its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries including the one here.
As the upgrade is focused on extending the range of its defense area, the plan is raising speculations that the launchers may be transferred to Seoul or its surrounding areas, or that additional launchers may be deployed, which may reignite disputes with China over the anti-missile system. A report has also sparked concerns that the U.S. may push Korea to fund the construction of the THAAD base, which could run counter to the allies' agreement on the issue.
As the upgrade is focused on extending the range of its defense area, the plan is raising speculations that the launchers may be transferred to Seoul or its surrounding areas, or that additional launchers may be deployed, which may reignite disputes with China over the anti-missile system. A report has also sparked concerns that the U.S. may push Korea to fund the construction of the THAAD base, which could run counter to the allies' agreement on the issue.
more:
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/02/205_283478.html#.XkaqZXP0coU.twitter
This is a non-starter in South Korea. It was estimated that South Korean businesses lost 23 billion dollars as the result of the first deployment of THAAD in Seongju after the Chinese trade embargo. Other problems involve intel evaluations of the system as ineffective against the new generation of North Korean shorter ranged ballistic missiles even against the integrated defense network with shorter ranged interceptor missiles. There is going to be active civil opposition to this plan on the ground by communities who don't want the missiles in their neighborhood nor a new US base of any kind. This proposal was clumsy and ill advised to say the least. Failure to consult with the South Korean government while high level US officials recommend South Korean movies and jawbone South Korea on the SMA negotiations for military cost sharing reveals a superficial understanding of how to approach this and other defense issues in South Korea. The timing of the plans announcement is obviously directed at creating an issue for the upcoming April 15 general elections.
