South Korean President Delays Further THAAD Deployment?

(Baonghean) - In a recent statement, South Korean President Moon Jae-in affirmed that there needs to be a comprehensive environmental assessment as well as further investigation into the new mobile launchers of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.

This move is expected to slow down the deployment of this system, as well as increase the disagreements that already exist between the US and South Korea.

Bypass the President?

The story began when South Korean President Moon Jae-in received information that four missile launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system had been deployed without permission.

Then, the South Korean Presidential Office recently announced the results of an investigation showing that the country's Ministry of National Defense "intentionally omitted" information about the addition of several launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to South Korea.

These are four additional launchers added after two previous launchers were allowed to be deployed in South Korea before Moon Jae-in took office.

Expressing his attitude towards this development, the senior press secretary of the South Korean President emphasized that an agreement with the US military to keep the transfer secret might be a reasonable way to deal with the media, but not informing the President is a completely different matter.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Source: Reuters

Therefore, after an investigation, on June 5, the South Korean Presidential Office announced that a senior defense official had been suspended for intentionally failing to report the deployment of four additional THAAD launchers in South Korea.

The agency said that Deputy Minister in charge of defense policy Wee Seung Ho was found to have asked subordinates not to write clearly about the four missile launchers in reports to the Presidential Office.

Affirming prestige

President Moon Jae-in emphasized in his statement that the investigation was not aimed at reviewing South Korea's decision to deploy the THAAD system. However, according to observers, President Moon Jae-in more or less wanted to send a few messages.

Looking back at his presidential campaign, Mr. Moon Jae-in called for a postponement of the THAAD deployment plan because he believed that the previous administration of former President Park Geun-hye had not consulted the people on this issue. After being elected President, Mr. Moon Jae-in also asked the National Assembly to review the entire THAAD deployment process in Korea.

Public opinion in the country has more or less supported this view of the President, because a part of the people of this country believe that this implementation will affect their lives.

However, a recent poll by Realmeter showed that the approval rating of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has dropped to 78.1%, compared to 84% the previous week - the highest level of trust compared to previous leaders.

One of the reasons cited was the addition of THAAD launchers without the President's knowledge. The opposition has also taken advantage of this mistake to criticize Moon Jae-in.

Protest against the deployment of the THAAD system in Seoul (South Korea). Source: EPA

Therefore, the tough handling of the "information concealment" case is also a step to regain President Moon Jae-in's reputation with the people.

To show his determination, on June 6, President Moon Jae-in continued to request the Ministry of National Defense to conduct legal procedures to assess the environmental impact as prescribed by law, to ensure the legality of the deployment process that all citizens can accept.

Defense Minister Han Min-koo also said that a comprehensive and long-term environmental assessment will be carried out at the THAAD deployment area.

Delay or stop?

Not only sending a message to domestic voters, President Moon Jae-in also understands that the deployment of the THAAD system is facing opposition from China, Russia and North Korea.

Therefore, Mr. Moon Jae-in must certainly consider the pros and cons, because cooperating with the US will also mean making many other countries upset.

Meanwhile, Mr. Moon Jae-in is also a moderate and advocates dialogue with the DPRK. He has repeatedly stated his goal of seeking a future of cooperation and development with the neighboring country where many tensions exist.

Therefore, a series of recent moves show that the South Korean President seems to really want to reconsider the plan to deploy the US THAAD system in this country.

However, it can be said that the Korean Government will hardly stop the deployment of the THAAD system. However, according to observers, the evaluation time as well as the implementation roadmap will certainly be prolonged.

In the process, President Moon Jae-in can take advantage of the time to find suitable countermeasures to harmonize relations with all parties involved in this controversial defense system.

Phuong Hoa