28 June 2017

News Story: S. Korean gov't 'honors' THAAD decision - vice minister

SEOUL, June 27 (Yonhap) -- The Moon Jae-in administration of South Korea honors an "alliance decision" to deploy a high-profile U.S. missile defense system here as it strives to enhance the transparency of relevant domestic procedures, a top defense official said Tuesday.

Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk visited Seongju, where the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)'s THAAD battery is in partial operation.

Meeting with residents there, he pointed out that the THAAD deployment is an alliance decision aimed at countering North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, according to his ministry.

"He clearly delivered the government's position that it honors the decision and requested active cooperation from local residents," the ministry said.

Suh was also quoted as telling them that such illicit acts as the blockade of roads can never be justified.

Seongju, a traditionally tranquil town situated some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul and known for melon farming, has become a venue for daily protest rallies since a private golf course there was picked as the site for the USFK's THAAD base in July last year.

Read the full story at YonhapNews