Deployment of US THAAD System in S Korea to Aggravate Regional Tensions: China
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United States deploying anti-ballistic Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea will only aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed after a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
Lavrov also warned on Friday of using Pyongyang’s activities, such as the recent nuclear test and multiple missile launches, as a pretext for building up US military presence in the region.
"We are expressing serious concern in connection with US intentions to deploy the [THAAD] system in South Korea. The move goes far beyond actual defense necessities and damages the strategic security of China and Russia," Wang Yi told reporters on Friday, Sputnik reported.
The United States has been in dialogue with South Korea over the proposed deployment of the THAAD system over the past year. THAAD is capable of shooting down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
