South Korea, US to begin missile system talks: South Korean official

South Korea and the US are set to begin talks as early as next week on the deployment of an advanced missile system in South Korea, an official with the Asian country says.

An unnamed South Korean defense official said on Friday that the discussions would focus on stationing one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) unit with the US military in South Korea.

Seoul says the deployment of the THAAD missile system would be a response to North Korea’s recent long-range rocket launch.

THAAD has been designed to intercept ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight.

The US says the deployment of the missile system to the Korean Peninsula acts as a deterrent against North Korea’s ballistic missile program, but Russia and China say such a move would undermine stability on the restive peninsula.

China and Russia also view the planned move as an attempt to put their military facilities within the range of US radars.

The decision to deploy the missile system came days after Pyongyang said it had successfully launched a long-range rocket reportedly aimed at placing an earth observation satellite into orbit.

Washington and Seoul denounced the move as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.​

Pyongyang has been under UN sanctions over its nuclear tests and launching missiles considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic and aimed at delivering nuclear warheads.

Senior officials in Pyongyang have frequently said that they are boosting defense capabilities in the face of enemy threats. The country is irked by joint military maneuvers by South Korea and the US and views them as direct threats against its security.

Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan.

Earlier this week, military chiefs from the US, South Korea and Japan agreed to step up information-sharing and security coordination to tackle perceived threats from North Korea.

South Korea has also adopted other measures in response to Pyongyang’s rocket launch. On Wednesday, it pulled out of a joint industrial zone with the North.

Seoul has accused Pyongyang of using the complex to fund its controversial nuclear and missile programs.

The North called the move “a declaration of war.” The joint industrial complex was considered the last venue for regular interaction between the divided Koreas.

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