Politics
19:09, 24-Jun-2017
S. Koreans protest against US missile defence system
[]
Share
Copied
Thousands of protesters marched near the US embassy in Seoul on Saturday, accusing President Donald Trump of "forcing" South Korea to deploy a controversial American missile defense system, which has been heavily opposed by China.
The protest came ahead of South Korean President Moon Jae-In's visit to Washington next week for his first summit with Trump, amid soaring tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
Around 4,000 people participated in the demonstration, the largest since South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system.
Around 4,000 people participated in the demonstration in Seoul, the largest since South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system on June 24, 2017. /AFP Photo
Around 4,000 people participated in the demonstration in Seoul, the largest since South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system on June 24, 2017. /AFP Photo
The crowd included residents from the southeastern county of Seongju where the system is being deployed, who say it poses health and environmental hazards and argue that its presence could make them a priority target for the DPRK.
THAAD was approved by Moon's ousted predecessor, conservative president Park Geun-Hye, who then steamrollered the project through a hasty environmental review during her last months in office as she became ensnared in a massive corruption scandal.
The deployment has also been opposed by Beijing. Though parts of the system are already in place, Moon this month suspended further work on its deployment.
Officially, the delay is to allow for a new, comprehensive environmental impact assessment, but analysts say the move is a strategic delay by Moon to handle the tricky diplomatic situation he has inherited.
(With inputs from AFP)
952km