Deployment Of A U.S.-Korea Missile Defense System Has Been Delayed

DW: Contentious US-Korea missile defense system delayed

China has long campaigned against the deployment of the military system and some Korean politicians say it is not worth the trouble. It is a heated political issue in a country gripped by political instability.

The deployment of a controversial US missile defense system in South Korea designed to protect against North Korean aggression could be delayed, Seoul's defense ministry said on Monday.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was due to be built on a golf course owned by the Lotte Group conglomerate in the Seongju region, southeast of South Korea's capital Seoul.

"The plan to go ahead with the exchange will be signed by mid-January, but there is a possibility it will be slightly delayed," South Korean ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said.

He said they were waiting on a meeting with Lotte directors to settle land use fees.

South Korea and the US had said the THAAD deployment was to protect against North Korea's growing nuclear and ballistic capabilities.

Read more ....

Update #1: South Korea says securing THAAD location could be delayed (Reuters)
Update #2: THAAD site acquisition may be delayed for administrative reasons (Yonhap News)
Update #3: THAAD In Korean Peninsula: South Korea's Contract With US Over Securing Location Likely To Be Delayed (International Business Times)

WNU Editor: The deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea is now (not surprising) becoming an election issue .... THAAD is Becoming a South Korean Election Issue (VOA).

China And Russia Agree To Deploy Countermeasures' Against U.S. THAAD Deployment On The Korean Peninsula

Reuters: China, Russia agree on more 'countermeasures' against U.S. anti-missile system: Xinhua

China and Russia have agreed to take further unspecified "countermeasures" in response to a U.S. plan to deploy an anti-missile system in South Korea, state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.

The countermeasures "will be aimed at safeguarding interests of China and Russia and the strategic balance in the region", Xinhua said, citing a statement released after a China-Russia security meeting.

China and Russia held a joint anti-missile drill last May after Washington and Seoul began discussions over installing the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter any North Korean threats.

Read more ....

More News On China And Russia Agreeing To Deploy Countermeasures' Against U.S. THAAD Deployment On The Korean Peninsula

Russia & China announce new ‘unspecified’ measures to US’ anti-missile system in S. Korea -- RT
Russia, China say plans on deploying US missile defense systems to South Korea destructive -- TASS
China, Russia agree to further respond to THAAD deployment -- CCTV
China, Russia plan response to U.S. missile defense placement in South Korea -- UPI
China, Russia Promise 'Countermeasures' To U.S.-Korean Defense System -- RFE
China and Russia agree to take measures to tackle US Thaad deployment plan -- International Business Times
China, Russia fear the US is boxing them in -- CNN

Commander Of U.S. Forces In Korea: THAAD Anti-Missile Battery To Be Deployed In The Next 8-10 Months

IBTimes: US THAAD In South Korea: USFK Chief Says Antimissile System To Be Deployed To Region In 8-10 Months

Amid escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea over the latter’s nuclear capabilities, the commander of U.S. forces in neighboring South Korea said Friday that a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system battery will be deployed to the region in the next eight to ten months.

“You’re gonna see the deployment of a THAAD battery. This is an alliance decision. It will come in the next eight to 10 months. That is an Army unit and ... a larger configuration than the one in Guam,” U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks said at a seminar in Seoul, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. THAAD Anti-Missile Battery To Be Deployed In South Korea In The Next 8-10 Months

USFK chief says THAAD to be deployed in next 8-10 months -- Yonhap News Agency
U.S. to deploy THAAD anti-missile battery in South Korea in 8-10 months: commander -- Reuters
THAAD will be deployed in 8-10 months: USFK commander -- Korea Times
USFK commander says THAAD will be deployed to S. Korea within 8-10 months -- Arirang News
US Sets Date for THAAD Deployment in South Korea as China Protests -- Sputnik
THAAD Coming to South Korea in 8-10 Months: Top US Commander -- The Diplomat

U.S. Army Trip On Visit To China To Reassure Beijing On Missile Defense

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, left, and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Gen. Li Zuocheng, right, salute during a welcome ceremony at the Bayi Building in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool

Reuters: U.S. lobbies China again on missile defense system

A decision by the United States and South Korea to deploy an advanced anti-missile defense system is aimed at defending against North Korea's missile threat and does not threaten China, a senior U.S. officer said in Beijing on Tuesday.

The United States has repeatedly tried to rebuff anger from China about Seoul's move to host a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) unit with the U.S. military.

Mark A. Milley, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, told his People's Liberation Army counterpart Li Zuocheng that THAAD was a defensive measure, the U.S. Army said in a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

THAAD "is a defensive measure to protect South Koreans and Americans from the North Korean ballistic missile threat and is not a threat in any way to China", the statement paraphrased Milley as saying.

Read more ....

Update #1: US Army Chief Visits China Amid Missile System Tensions (AP)
Update #2: Top U.S. Army General Seeks to Assure China on Missile Defense System (WSJ)

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction .... nothing is going to be accomplished by this meeting.

China Views The U.S. Deployment Of THAAD For South Korea As A Direct Threat

Flickr/U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

Washington Times: Furious China sees U.S. missile defense plan for South Korea as direct threat

U.S. military officials are trying to pacify a furious China in the wake of Washington’s plan to deploy a battery of advanced missile defense systems in South Korea, insisting to angry military leaders in Beijing that the weapons would be solely targeting ballistic missile threats from North Korea and not undercut China’s own military deterrent.

Beijing has denounced the planned deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon in South Korea and has already retaliated in ways large and small, including blocking a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning a recent North Korean missile test and canceling appearances by South Korean “K-Pop” music stars.

“If THAAD is deployed, it will sour [South Korea‘s] relations with China and Russia, trigger an arms race and damage trade,” the state-controlled China Daily newspaper wrote in an editorial Thursday. “It will make it difficult for the country to seek cooperation from China and Russia in denuclearizing the peninsula.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The problem is not the deployment of THAAD .... the problem is North Korea. But China does not see it that way.

China Condemns U.S. - South Korean THAAD Missile Deployment

Bloomberg: China Blasts U.S., South Korea Missile Defense Deployment

* U.S. to deploy Thaad anti-missile defense system in South
* North Korea calls U.S. sanctions on Kim a ‘declaration of war’

South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to deploy the Thaad anti-ballistic missile system on the Korean peninsula, a move that drew immediate condemnation from China.

South Korea’s military said Friday the U.S. will deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in the country by the end of 2017 at the latest. The decision was made in response to a growing ballistic missile threat from North Korea, a South Korean defense ministry official said in a televised briefing.

Read more ....

More News On China Condemning U.S. - South Korean THAAD Anti-Missile Deployment

China responds to S. Korea, U.S. decision on THAAD deployment -- CRIEnglish
China urges U.S., South Korea to stop deployment of missile system -- Reuters
China says South Korea’s THAAD missile defence system could ‘seriously damage’ regional security -- South China Morning Post
China Slams US-South Korea Decision to Deploy THAAD Air Defense System -- Sputnik

U.S. And South Korea Agree To Deploy THAAD Missile Defense System

Voice of America: US, South Korea to Deploy Controversial THAAD Missile Defense

SEOUL — The U.S. and South Korea have announced plans to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense - THAAD - on the Korean peninsula to counter North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile development programs.

General Thomas Vandal, the chief of staff for U.S. Forces in Korea, and South Korea’s Deputy Minister of Defense Ryu Je-seung made the formal announcement during a joint briefing in Seoul Friday.

“North Korea’s continued development of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, in opposition to its commitments to the international community, require our alliance to ensure that we retain the ability defend ourselves in the face of this threat,” said Gen. Vandal.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. And South Korea Agreeing To Deploy THAAD Missile Defense System

South Korea, U.S. to deploy THAAD missile defense, drawing China rebuke -- Reuters
US to deploy missiles in S. Korea as North riled -- AFP
U.S. to deploy THAAD missile defense system in South Korea; China says move is ‘damaging’ -- AP
Pentagon to deploy anti-missile system in South Korea -- Washington Post
U.S. and South Korea agree to deploy THAAD antimissile system to counter North Korea -- L.A. Times
US and South Korea agree THAAD missile defence deployment -- BBC
THAAD To Officially Deploy to South Korea -- Defense News
South Korea, US decide to deploy US anti-missile system in South -- Nikkei Asian Review
'Joint decision': US to deploy missile defense to S. Korea in face of growing N. Korea threat -- RT
South Korea aims deployment of U.S. THAAD anti-missile unit by end-2017: Yonhap -- Reuters

U.S. Officials: The Deployment Of An Anti-Missile Defense System To South Korea Will Be Announced Soon

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. REUTERS/U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

Reuters: U.S. expects announcement 'soon' on deployment of Korea anti-missile system

Plans for the deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea are moving forward and an announcement can be expected soon, senior U.S. officials said on Thursday.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told reporters en route to a regional security meeting in Singapore, at which he will meet his South Korean counterpart, that recent North Korean missile tests showed the need for improved missile defenses, even though the test had been failures.

"There have been five consecutive failures there, but...most of the world continues to be concerned about North Korean missile activity," Carter said after what U.S. and South Korean officials say was the latest failed test of a North Korean intermediate range Musudan missile on Tuesday.

Read more ....

Update #1: US Won’t Back Off On Korean Missile Defense, South China Sea: SecDef (Breaking Defense).
Update #2: Carter expects to discuss THAAD with S. Korean defense chief (Yonhap News Agency).

WNU Editor: It sounds like this deployment is a "done deal". The next question that will need to be answered is .... how will China and Russia respond.

Russia And China See The Deployment Of U.S. Missile Systems In Asia As A Threat

Two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors are launched during a successful intercept test on Sept. 10, 2013, at an unspecified location. (Defense Department photo)

Sputnik: Planned US Missile Defense Units in Asia-Pacific Threaten China, Russia

Russia sees the deployment of the US missile defense system units in the Asia-Pacific region as threat.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The planned deployment of units of the US missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region poses a threat to China and Russia and undermines global security, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said.

"The point is that if this small element becomes a part of a missile defense system across the world, then, of course, it will strike down and undermine the system of global security. In fact, it strikes down or even nullifies China's nuclear deterrent force and causes damage to strategic stability, including of the Russian Federation," Antonov told the CCTV broadcaster and the Xinhua news agency in an interview.

Read more ....

Update #1: Russia to defend regional security jointly with China (China.org.cn)
Update #2: US in Talks to Deploy New Missile Defense Systems to South Korea (Military.com)

WNU Editor: After initial opposition, the South Koreans appear to now be on-board to have missile defence units based in their country .... China must see missile defense is 'live or die' for South Korea: Seoul official (Reuters).

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter: 'Deployment Of U.S. Missile Defense System To South Korea Is Going To Happen'

Reuters: South Korea missile-defense deployment 'going to happen': Carter

Deployment of a new U.S. missile-defense system to South Korea "is going to happen," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday, adding that China should do more to counter North Korea's missile development rather than complain about U.S. plans.

The United States and South Korea began talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on Jan. 6 and launched a long-range rocket on Feb. 7.

China agreed to tough new U.N. sanctions on North Korea after the tests but has said it is "firmly opposed" to THAAD deployment, arguing that it will undermine its strategic deterrent.

Asked at a New York seminar if the deployment would go ahead, Carter replied:

Read more ....

WNU Editor: U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter seems to be very sure of himself.

More News On U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter Remarks That  Deployment Of U.S. Missile Defense System To South Korea Is Going To Happen

Carter: THAAD in Korea 'Going to Happen' -- Defense News
US vows South Korea missile defence deployment ‘going to happen’; Washington goads China to do more about North Korea -- South China Morning Post
US: ROK missile-defense deployment 'going to happen' -- CCTV
North Korea Tests Rocket Engine as U.S. Talks Up Missile Shield -- Bloomberg
US Defense Secretary on THAAD in South Korea: 'It's Going to Happen' -- The Diplomat

U.S. And Japan Agree To Expand Missile Defense

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, alongside his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto in Toyko on Monday. Larry Downing/Reuters

US-Japan Agree On New Defense System To Counter North Korea Ballistic Missiles -- NBC

TOKYO -- U.S. and Japanese officials have agreed to put a second defense system in Japan aimed at protecting the country from the threat of a missile attack from North Korea, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday.

The exact location of the radar installation has not yet been determined. It will be in the south of the country, U.S. officials said, but not in Okinawa.

Officials stressed that the system would be aimed at protecting the region against the threat from North Korea and is not directed at China.

The U.S. already has similar early warning radar systems on ships in the Asia-Pacific.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. And Japan Agreeing To Expand Missile Defense

U.S. and Japan Agree to Deploy Advanced Missile Defense System -- New York Times
Panetta: US-Japan agree on new missile system -- AP
U.S., Japan Agree to Add Second Radar Installation -- US Department of Defense
US and Japan agree on new missile defence system -- BBC
U.S., Japan agree to deploy ballistic missile radar system -- Washington Times
US, Japan Agree on Missile Defense Radar System -- Voice of America
US-Japan agree on new missile system -- New York Post
U.S., Japan agree on new radar installation aimed at deterring missile threat from North Korea -- CBS/AP
U.S., Japan announce new radar site -- UPI
China's concerns over US-Japan missile deal -- BBC

U.S. Missile Defense Shield To Be Installed In Asia

Pentagon Plans New Missile Defences In Asia -- The Telegraph

The United States is planning to build a new missile defence shield in Asia to contain threats from North Korea and counter China's growing missile capabilities.

A defensive array could include a new radar system in southern Japan and possibly another in South East Asia, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The news came after an unnamed US official told Jane's Defence Weekly that China's People's Liberation Army tested an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 24 which has the range to strike any city in the United States.

The DF-41 missile can carry ten separate nuclear warheads, each of which can be programmed to strike at a different target, the magazine reported.

Read more ....

More News On The Pentagon's Plans To Build A Missile Defense Shield in Asia

U.S. Missile Shield Plan Seen Stoking China Fears -- Wall Street Journal
US To Expand Missile Defense In Asia -- Voice of America
US discussing more missile defense in Asia, says it’s against NKorea threat, not China -- Washington Post/AP
US: Missile defense for NKorea threat, not China -- AP
Pentagon Plans New Missile Defence in Asia -- China Digital Times
US: Pacific Rim Missile Defense Not Aiming China, But To Face N. Korean Threat -- RTT