The first elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek on Monday, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, launching the deployment process, according to the US Pacific Command.
It is reported that two mobile launchers of the US missile shield and other equipment were transported to the base by a US C-17 transport airplane on Monday night local time.
PACOM statement
"US Pacific Command deployed the first elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to the Republic of Korea, March 6, implementing the US-ROK Alliances' July 2016 decision to bring the defense capability to the peninsula," PACOM said in a statement.
The move came on the same day that DPRK fired off four ballistic missiles in protest against the ongoing South Korea-US military drills. The South Korean government said the THAAD move was not related to the annual military drills.
THAAD is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, an X-band radar and a fire and control unit.
The first elements of the US-built Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system arrive at Osan US Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul. /AFP Photo
According to the Yonhap news agency, the THAAD anti-missile defense system will be operational in South Korea as early as April after it is completed in one to two months.
China has been urging relevant parties to squarely face its reasonable concerns, call off the deployment and avoid travelling further down the wrong path.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday that China is firmly opposed to the deployment of THAAD in South Korea, adding that the deployment disrupts the region's strategic balance, undermines the strategic and security interests of the countries in the region including China, and harms the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.
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