The Korea Times:
South Korea’s changing stance on the THAAD missile defense system reflects growing worries here about China’s two-faced approach toward North Korea and its nuclear program, analysts said Tuesday.
President Park Geun-hye and key defense officials have indicated that Seoul can allow the U.S. to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system that can detect and destroy North Korean missiles loaded with nuclear warheads, since the North fourth nuclear test conducted on Jan. 6.
Their comments triggered speculation that Seoul is leaning toward the deployment of the missile defense system because China is refraining from joining international efforts to toughen sanctions against the North.
Korean officials had until recently been reluctant in expressing opinions about THAAD, only sticking to the stance of the so-called “three-Nos,” which means there has been no request from the U.S., no negotiations with the U.S. and no decision made about it.
That was largely because of China.
However, the Korean government, by hinting at THAAD deployment, is apparently trying to add pressure on Beijing to play a much-needed role in discouraging the repressive state’s nuclear ambitions. Experts say that the government is well aware that Beijing is strongly opposed to having THAAD on Korean soil, out of concerns that its radar system could snoop on Beijing’s military activities and missile capabilities.
