31 July 2017

News Story: Parties condemn N.K. provocation, welcome additional THAAD deployment

A THAAD Interceptor test launch (File Photo)
SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's ruling and opposition parties on Saturday strongly condemned North Korea for its surprise launch of a second intercontinental range ballistic missile, its second in three weeks.

The ruling Democratic Party said North Korea's sudden launch of an intercontinental range ballistic missile late Friday night was a "reckless" act, warning the North will pay the price for it.

"If North Korea continues to conduct its reckless provocations, it will surely repent for them," Baek Hye-ryeon, the ruling party's spokeswoman, said in a commentary.

"Now is the time for the international society to take reciprocal punishment against North Korea for its provocations. The late-night missile provocation cannot be justified on any grounds, and the North has to pay a dear price for the recklessness," Baek said.

She then urged Pyongyang to immediately stop missile provocations and all other behaviors that threaten the peace of the world, as well as the Korean Peninsula, and comply with resolutions of the United Nations Security Council for its own "survival."

The ruling party then welcomed President Moon Jae-in's decision to deploy additional THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) launchers in Seongju, southeast South Korea, as well as his instructions for additional anti-North sanctions.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) also strongly denounced North Korea over its latest missile provocation, while calling for speedier deployment of the THAAD missile system in Seongju.

Read the full story at YonhapNews