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| THAAD Launch Vehicle (File Photo) |
By Tae-jun Kang
Decisions on THAAD and AIIB have South Korea pulled in opposite directions by two of its most important partners.
South Korea has been caught in the middle of the United States and China as it is asked to make tough decisions that could bring a dramatic change to its relations with the two countries.
The first decision South Korea has to make is whether to support deployment of the U.S.-backed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system (THAAD) in South Korea. The U.S. hopes to deploy THAAD in South Korea to be prepared for possible military provocations from North Korea, but China has raised concern over the idea of a U.S. missile defense system on the Korean peninsula, saying it could threaten “regional” safety.
Whether to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is the second issue that worries South Korea. AIIB, led by China, is aimed at providing finance to infrastructure projects in the Asian region. The bank is accepting members and is prepared to take off, but the U.S. has encouraged its allies not to join the bank due to concerns about China’s rising power in the world stage.
Read the full story at The Diplomat