US THAAD radar arrives at S.Korean site amid protests

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL

Police held back protesters in a remote location nearly 300 kilometers (186 miles) southeast of Seoul on Wednesday, as South Korea and the United States proceeded with the deployment of a controversial anti-missile system known as THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense).

Hundreds of demonstrators in Seongju – previously known for melon farming – held up signs demanding ‘No War!’ and accused the U.S. of occupying the peninsula, according to local news agency Yonhap. Their concerns include being targeted by North Korea because of THAAD, rather than the system protecting them.

Six trailers reportedly carrying a powerful X-band radar, mobile launchers and other THAAD equipment were transported along police-lined roads to Seongju from around midnight.

Seoul’s Defense Ministry confirmed the unannounced move, saying it aimed to “secure early operational capability” and have the new anti-missile battery fully up and running by the end of the year.

South Korea and the U.S. have been racing to deploy the system amid rising North Korean missile threats, despite Beijing’s objections – apparently on the grounds that the THAAD radar could be used to spy on China.

The rush also ties in with a delicate political situation in the South, which will hold a presidential election on May 9 but is currently led by conservative acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn.

While Hwang has been willing to work closely with the U.S. on THAAD, dominant election front-runner Moon Jae-in of the liberal Democratic Party insists the deployment should have been deferred until after the nation votes.

A spokesperson for Moon’s camp told reporters on Wednesday the speedy installation was contrary to the people’s will and "very inappropriate as it prevents the next government from carrying out any policy judgment".