Turning to South Korea where the country's Foreign Minister, Kang Kyung-hwa, addressed the National Assembly on Monday, saying that Seoul will not search for an expansion of the THAAD anti-missile system. Kang also commented on the country's military cooperation with neighboring Japan. CGTN's Jack Barton has the details.

 

JACK BARTON PYEONGCHANG "Addressing South Korea's National Assembly the country's Foreign Minister Kang kyung-hwa said there would be no expansion of the controversial THAAD anti missile system or participating in the wider us defense shied, which has been one of Beijing's biggest concerns given that the THAAD s radar system does have the ability to penetrate far into China. Instead Kang said South Korea would move to develop its own defense system capable of intercepting a potential missile strike by the DPRK.

 

South Korea had faced a strong economic backlash from China over the deployment but Diplomatic tensions have begun easing and the foreign minister's comments appear to signal the diplomatic row may have turned a corner. She also stressed that while South Korea and Japan were working more closely in terms of attempting to halt the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs that this would not lead to a military alliance. The comments come ahead of a visit to South Korea by US President Donald Trump who will also be addressing the country's National Assembly. Jack Barton, CGTN, Pyeongchang."