by Yoo Seungki
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Scores of residents living in the southeastern part of South Korea, where a U.S. missile shield is supposed to be deployed by the end of next year, came to Seoul on Saturday to voice their opposition.
Seoul and Washington agreed in July to install a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in Seongju county in North Gyeongsang province.
The site was changed later into a golf course, north of the county, and became closer to Gimcheon city.
About 50 Gimcheon residents rallied on the streets in the Gwanghwamun Square, just over a km away from the presidential Blue House where President Park's office and residence are located. They protested against the THAAD deployment, trying to make people more informed of the irrational decision.
"It was a bolt from the blue sky," said Park Byung-ju, a 62-year-old resident in Gimcheon.
"Farmers face difficulties in making a living, and apartment prices turn downward," said Park, who came here with his wife.
One THAAD battery is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, X-band radar and fire & control unit.
The radar especially troubled villagers as the radar-emitting super microwave is detrimental to farm produces and human body.
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