BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- As Seoul quickens its steps to set up a U.S. missile defense system, conservative political elements in South Korea are putting the vital security interests of the country and the region at risk for their own gains.
On Tuesday, U.S. and South Korean militaries confirmed that some of the equipment for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) arrived in South Korea. According to the South Korean military sources, the anti-missile system will be operational as early as April.
Previously, Washington and Seoul decided to deploy THAAD at the end of the year, a time when South Korea usually holds a presidential election every five years.
It is not difficult to note that the change of the schedule for the installation seems to best coincide with a projected reschedule for the presidential race in South Korea.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye is now under an investigation on corruption charges and an impeachment trial. It is very likely the country's constitutional court would announce its decision very soon. If Park is to be removed from office, a special presidential election will be triggered and held within 60 days.
Political uncertainty inside South Korea is perhaps one of the most important reasons for Washington to speed up the installation as it possibly has to face a new president in Seoul that could change mind on THAAD.
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