Will the US and South Korea have to 'pay a price' because of THAAD?

(Baonghean.vn) - The US and South Korea will certainly "pay the price" for their decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, and will inevitably face a "counterattack" from China – the People's Daily of China declared loudly on October 1st.

The decision by the US and South Korea to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system has angered China. Photo: Reuters.

In July, South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to counter threats from North Korea. On September 30, South Korea announced it would deploy the system in the area of ​​a golf course.

The plan by the US and South Korea has angered China, which argues that the THAAD system would affect its security and would not help de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Since the beginning of the year, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has been extremely complex, starting with North Korea's missile test in January. Following that, the country conducted a series of satellite launches, missile tests, and most recently, its fifth nuclear test on an unprecedented scale.

The People's Daily asserted that China will never change its stance against THAAD because the missile defense system poses a serious threat to the strategic security balance in the region.

"Like other countries, China cannot remain indifferent to security issues that could affect its core national interests. The U.S. and South Korea need to understand that they cannot create further risks for the Korean Peninsula," the article commented.

The People's Daily also emphasized that if the US and South Korea threaten the strategic security interests of countries in the region, including China, they will pay a price and face "counterattacks."

Since the US and South Korea decided to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, China has repeatedly warned of retaliatory measures. However, to date, it has not provided details on how it will respond.

Meanwhile, the US and South Korea have stated that THAAD does not threaten China's security and is not aimed at any country other than North Korea.

Diep Khanh

(According to Reuters)