'THAAD needed to force North Korea to the dialogue table'

(Baonghean.vn) - The deployment of the US missile defense system in South Korea is necessary to protect the country from North Korea's provocations and also force Pyongyang back to the dialogue table.

That was the statement of an official in the Blue House - the Office of the President of South Korea on September 8.

The US THAAD missile defense system is deployed at a golf course in Seongju, South Korea in June. Photo: AP

The official also affirmed that Seoul understood China's objections, but it would continue to persuade Beijing to understand the need to increase pressure on Pyongyang.

“North Korea’s nuclear test is currently being closely watched by the international community, and we believe there is no choice but to join international efforts to punish North Korea under current conditions,” Yonhap quoted the unnamed official as saying.

“As President Moon Jae-in has stated, our ultimate goal is to resolve the nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means, but we believe the most important thing at this moment is to put pressure on North Korea to come to the dialogue table,” the official added.

China believes that the US missile defense system could be used to spy on its military activities. Photo: Yonhap

Previously, North Korea conducted its sixth and most likely most powerful nuclear test to date on September 3.

Seoul responded by deploying four more launchers to complete the THAAD system, drawing strong protests from China - Pyongyang's ally, which believes the US missile defense system could be used to spy on its military activities.

“We believe the issue with China is something that must be resolved through dialogue,” the Blue House official asserted.

“The government’s position at this time is that it is important to prevent North Korea from conducting any further nuclear or missile provocations,” he added.

Thu Giang

(According to Yonhap)