Subscribe
E-Paper
By Kim Se-jeong
With North Korea conducting a nuclear test Sunday, all eyes are on the deployment of an anti-ballistic missile defense system in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
While the Ministry of Environment is conducting an environmental impact assessment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the Ministry of National Defense reportedly has given a deadline of today to the ministry.
The environment ministry said it had no comment, Sunday.
Following the surprise nuclear test, the likelihood is high that the deployment will be completed as early as possible.
Media outlets reported that extra police were being sent to near the deployment site.
The impact assessment result is not aimed at reversing the deployment decision, but it has been a contentious point in the deployment debate because of a sharp division between those who support the deployment and those who oppose it.
President Moon Jae-in initially opposed the THAAD deployment, but now supports it amid growing threats from North Korea, which has conducted multiple missile tests since his inauguration in May.
The most recent missile flew over Japanese territory, bringing fear to people in Japan, Guam and South Korea.
Supporters of the THAAD deployment argue that the system will defend the South from North Korean threats ― their argument was reinforced by Sunday's news of another nuclear test.
But opponents of THAAD claim its role would be limited to deterring North Korea, and serving U.S. geopolitical interests in Northeast Asia against China.
Opponents and supporters have clashed before, and another round of clashes is expected if the deployment is completed this week.
Covering 700,000 square meters, the deployment site already houses two anti-missile launchers and a radar system. Four more launchers are needed to complete the battery.
