In a surprise move, the U.S. military overnight transferred key parts of a controversial antimissile defense system into operational position, drawing angry reaction from residents near the site in Seongju, South Korea.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or THAAD, was originally scheduled to be installed after South Korea elects a new president May 9, giving the next administration a chance to review the controversial missile defense system.
The sudden move, with no warning, comes amid rising rhetoric on North Korea and before U.S. senators meet at the White House today about the volatility in the region.
“The American military is completely ignoring us,” said Kim Choong Hwan, head of a group of villagers protesting the THAAD deployment. “We will continue to fight with all means.”
Over 8,000 police officers and South Korean soldiers reportedly escorted loads of U.S. military trucks onto the golf course while dozens of angry villagers threw plastic water bottles at the troops. The relocation started after midnight local time, swiftly finishing at 4 a.m.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or THAAD, was originally scheduled to be installed after South Korea elects a new president May 9, giving the next administration a chance to review the controversial missile defense system.
The sudden move, with no warning, comes amid rising rhetoric on North Korea and before U.S. senators meet at the White House today about the volatility in the region.
“The American military is completely ignoring us,” said Kim Choong Hwan, head of a group of villagers protesting the THAAD deployment. “We will continue to fight with all means.”
Over 8,000 police officers and South Korean soldiers reportedly escorted loads of U.S. military trucks onto the golf course while dozens of angry villagers threw plastic water bottles at the troops. The relocation started after midnight local time, swiftly finishing at 4 a.m.
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