Four more THAAD rocket launchers will be installed this week at the US missile defence base in South Korea, the Ministry of National Defense announced Wednesday despite strong opposition from local residents and activists, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.
It said the US Forces Korea (USFK) will position the launchers at its new base in Seongju, some 300 kilometres south of Seoul, on Thursday, along with construction equipment and related materials.
It did not reveal the exact time for the operation.
The move comes after North Korea's recent string of ballistic missile and nuclear tests.
The ministry stressed the urgency of mobilising the assets, now stored at a USFK compound in the country, amid growing threats from the unpredictable neighbor.
Two truck-mounted launchers and a powerful X-band radar are in operation at the former golf course. A THAAD battery is known to require at least six rocket launchers, also involving a fire control and communications unit.
The ministry described the deployment as "provisional," citing the need for additional environmental impact assessment of the THAAD system, a process expected to take at least several months.
The government recently wrapped up a months-long "small-scale" environmental impact survey.
"There is no change in the government's position to make the final decision on whether the THAAD system will be deployed (in South Korea) after carrying out the general environmental impact assessment of the entire site thoroughly and fairly," the ministry said in a statement.
Local residents have protested against the THAAD deployment, taking issue with related domestic procedures. They also fear that their once-calm town will turn into a primary target of the North's attacks.
Some are concerned that electromagnetic waves emanating from the cutting-edge radar could cause health and environmental problems.
USFK officials were guarded about the estimated time of arrival.
"We are relying on the Korea national police to clear the way" when it comes to the move, a USFK official said.
Earlier in the day, a residents' group said it has confirmed the THAAD installation plan "through various channels," adding the installation is expected to begin at 2 am.
Thousands of police will likely be mobilised to prevent possible clashes.
Soon after Pyongyang launched another long-range missile July 28, President Moon Jae-in ordered the temporary deployment of additional THAAD launchers.
The deployment of the missile defence system, agreed by the allies more than a year ago, has been delayed amid controversy over a proper environmental survey.
It's a tricky diplomatic issue as China and Russia have strenuously opposed the THAAD deployment, viewing it aimed at bolstering Washington's military presence in the region and undermining their security interests. Seoul and Washington have claimed it is only for self-defence against the North.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang expressed grave concerns over the planned additional installation as he urged South Korea and the US to withdraw the THAAD system.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Sep 07 2017
Soon after Pyongyang launched another long-range missile July 28, President Moon Jae-in ordered the temporary deployment of additional THAAD launchers.
Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar
Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini mensabitkan kesalahan seorang warga emas atas dua pertuduhan pindaan membunuh abang dan kakak iparnya dua tahun lalu.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin berkata tempoh itu diberikan susulan laporan audit berkaitan, baru dibentangkan pada minggu lepas.
Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi
Penambahbaikan aspek perundangan akan diteliti kerajaan, termasuk mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa kementerian berkaitan dalam masa terdekat.
Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind
Beliau menegaskan bahawa pelaksanaan e-Invois itu akan memberi manfaat, termasuk meningkatkan pendapatan PKS.
Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?
Bekas pengendali skuad negara itu dilaporkan sedang menjadi calon utama untuk mengisi jawatan pengurus kelab gergasi Korea Selatan, Ulsan Hyundai.
Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau
Daripada keluasan itu, sebanyak 977.55 hektar tanah telah diwartakan, manakala 1,416.24 hektar tanah lapang yang berpotensi akan dan sedang dalam proses diwartakan.
Guna jawatan untuk projek pembekalan, suami isteri ditahan
Sepasang suami isteri direman enam hari dalam siasatan penyalahgunaan jawatan untuk mendapatkan projek pembekalan bernilai lebih RM200,000.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
DBKL ubah lalu lintas Jalan Sultan Ismail bermula 22 Julai
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) akan melaksanakan perubahan lalu lintas di Jalan Sultan Ismail berkuat kuasa 22 Julai ini.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
[TERKINI] Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka kembali teguh
Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka teguh sepanjang tahun ini, demikian menurut BMI, iaitu syarikat Fitch Solitions.
China harap rundingan damai Palestin-Israel disambung semula
China memandang berat situasi keselamatan di Tebing Barat yang kian meruncing dan konflik kekerasan yang semakin parah ketika ini.
COVID-19: 'Mengarut!' - China kecam tindakan saman Missouri
Jurucakap Kementerian Luar Geng Shuang pada Rabu berkata tindakan undang-undang itu "tidak benar dan tidak berasas sama sekali."
COVID-19: Mesyuarat khas Menteri-Menteri Luar China, ASEAN pada Rabu
China dan ASEAN akan mengadakan mesyuarat khas menteri-menteri luar di Vientiane, Laos bagi membincangkan mengenai jangkitan novel koronavirus (COVID-19).