Seoul – The THAAD missile defence system that was deployed to South Korea earlier this year is now operational, a US Forces Korea (USFK) spokesman said Monday.
“U.S. Forces Korea confirms the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is operational and has the ability to intercept North Korean missiles and defend (South Korea),” USFK spokesman Rob Manning said in a statement.
US troops began installing the THAAD system last week despite strong protests from China and from residents in Seongju, where the system is stationed, who were concerned the town could become a target for North Korean missiles.
The US had begun deploying the system to South Korea in March, just after North Korea had launched four ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
The THAAD rockets are designed to intercept incoming short- and mid-range ballistic missiles. The defence missiles carry no explosives but destroy threats on impact.
