U.S. moves THAAD anti-missile to South Korean site, sparking protests

Reuters ^ | April 26, 2017 | Ju-min Park and Jack Kim in Seoul

[2ndDivisionVet]

The U.S. military started moving parts of its controversial THAAD anti-missile defense system to a deployment site in South Korea on Wednesday amid high tensions over North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

The earlier-than-expected move prompted protests by hundreds of local residents and was denounced by the frontrunner in South Korea's presidential election on May 9.

A spokesman for Moon Jae-in said the decision "ignored public opinion and due process" and demanded the deployment be suspended until the next administration was in place and had made its policy decision.

The United States and South Korea last year agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter the threat of missile launches by North Korea. However the move has angered China, which says the advanced system will do little to deter the North while destabilizing the regional security balance....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Although a relatively conservative nation, South Korea has plenty of Leftist professors and students like every other country.

[riverrunner]

Controversial why defending one self is controversial what a bunch of communist bed wetter’s.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Controversial why defending one self is controversial what a bunch of communist bed wetter’s.

It's also capable of shooting down Chinese ballistic missiles launched towards the United States or the U.S. Fleet in the Sea of Japan. THAAD changes the balance of power in the region in a way not favorable to China. Think of the Chinese installing a capable anti missile system in Mexico.

[NonValueAdded]

Dear China, you don’t like THAAD in theatre? Fine, fix the problem and we’ll redeploy. Until then, bite me.

Love, Donald

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

There are a lot of people who think we should deploy THAAD anywhere the host country is amenable. Israel and Japan already host sites. Poland and the Baltics would welcome them. It would infuriate the Russians, God bless ‘em.

[WMarshal]

Well China, are you enjoying the blowback caused by your ugly pet dog? You better put that mutt on a short leash because if it is dumb enough to bite both the dog and its master will be attacked.

[2001convSVT]

I would not overlook the presence of paid Chinese and North Korean protestors.