Politics
17:36, 12-Sep-2017
Anti-THAAD protesters continue to fight in S. Korea against the US deployment
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Residents and peace activists, who had protested against the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), decided on Tuesday to continue their fight against the US missile shield deployment and its operation.
According to the anti-THAAD association, composed of residents and activists, it held a press conference at Soseong-ri village in Seongju county, S. Korea's southeastern North Gyeongsang Province.
During the press conference, it said the anti-THAAD protesters would continue to fight for the THAAD withdrawal and demand a halt to its operation and ongoing construction inside the site.
Photo courtesy the Missile Defense Agency obtained July 30, 2017, shows a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched. /AFP Photo
Photo courtesy the Missile Defense Agency obtained July 30, 2017, shows a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched. /AFP Photo
It said the anti-THAAD people denounced the United States forcing S. Korea to deploy the US missile defense system as well as President Moon Jae-in's government pushing ahead with the THAAD installation.
Four more mobile launchers and other THAAD elements were transported on September 7 to the former golf course at the village after the police violently suppressed the anti-THAAD protesters.
About 8,000 riot policemen were mobilized to disperse some 500 protesters, among whom almost 100 were injured during the physical tussle with the police. Five were seriously wounded, according to the organization.
The riot police block S. Korean residents and protesters as the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system's equipment pass by a former golf course in the southern county of Seongju on September 7, 2017. /AFP Photo
The riot police block S. Korean residents and protesters as the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system's equipment pass by a former golf course in the southern county of Seongju on September 7, 2017. /AFP Photo
With the further deployment and construction, the THAAD battery in S. Korea has been predicted to go into full operation in the near future. The battery will be operated by the US Forces Korea (USFK).
Two THAAD launchers and other equipment were already delivered on April 26 to the site. One THAAD battery is composed of six launchers, 48 interceptors, the AN/TPY-2 radar and the fire and control unit.
Meanwhile, anti-THAAD representatives from the country's five major religions, including the Christianity, the Catholic Church and the Buddhism, issued a statement to condemn the violent suppression of religious figures who tried to block the further THAAD installation last week.
Tents, put up by religious figures, were completely destroyed by the policemen, sacred things inside the tents were trampled over, and clerics were dragged down with their robes ripped and stripped, according to the statement.
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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency