Seoul – Hundreds of local residents on Wednesday protested as US troops began installing a missile defence system known as THAAD in South Korea, local media reported.
Overnight, six trailers reportedly transported parts of the system, which is being installed at a site in Seongju, in the country’s south-east, news agency Yonhap reported.
South Korea’s National Defence Ministry confirmed that “full-scale deployment” had begun, saying, “The measure this time is meant to secure early operational capability by positioning some available parts first at the site,” according to Yonhap.
A US Defence Department spokesman in Washington told dpa the United States was working with South Korea to deploy THAAD “as soon as feasible.”
Residents in Seongju, concerned the town could become a target for North Korean missiles, clashed with police as they protested the system, holding signs that said, “No THAAD, No War,” Yonhap reported.
The US began deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system to South Korea in March, just after North Korea had launched four ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
The US and South Korea agreed last year to install the system, which the US has said is “strictly defensive.”
Concerns over North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes have increased recently.
The reclusive nation made a failed ballistic missile launch attempt on April 16, a day after it celebrated the 105th birthday of its late founding leader, and reportedly held its largest ever firing drill this week to mark the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its military.
