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| A THAAD Interceptor Missile test launch |
By Lee Chi-dong and Song Sang-ho
SEOUL/SEONGJU, South Korea, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry announced Thursday the deployment of a THAAD missile defense system has been completed in a "tentative" step to counter urgent threats from North Korea.
The announcement came soon after the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) transported four additional THAAD rocket launchers into its new base in Seongju, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul, despite fierce protests by local residents and activists.
Thousands of police were mobilized to help clear the way for a convoy of USFK vehicles carrying the launchers, construction and other related materials.
"(The allies) completed the tentative deployment of the THAAD system today, as (they) agreed to additionally deploy the four remaining launchers," the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.
It's part of measures to protect the life and security of the people from the North's ever-improving nuclear and missile programs, added the ministry.
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| AN/TPY-2 Radar for THAAD |
Ministry officials pointed out that USFK will have the capability to operate a THAAD battery by adding the four truck-mounted launchers to the two others already in place at the Seongju site.
In April, a powerful X-band radar station, along with a fire control and communications unit, was also installed at the former golf course. A THAAD battery is known to require at least six rocket launchers. THAAD is the acronym for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.
Read the full story at YonhapNews
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