THAAD officially operational, China angry

The US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea is officially operational, a week before the host country's presidential election.

Diagram of THAAD system operation - Source: US Department of Defense - Graphics: N.KH.

"THAAD is operational and capable of intercepting North Korean missiles and protecting South Korea," CNN quoted a spokesman for US forces in South Korea as saying on May 2.

The announcement comes less than a week after the US began installing the THAAD system in the town of Seongju, 300km southeast of Seoul. However, the system’s operations are currently “limited” and will be fully upgraded later this year, when additional equipment and components continue to arrive in South Korea.

THAAD consists of 6 mobile launchers, 48 ​​interceptors, 1 AN/TPY-2 radar, and fire control and communications equipment. THAAD is capable of intercepting and destroying short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in the final phase of their flight.

However, the deployment of THAAD in South Korea has caused much controversy in public opinion, culminating in protests by people in the area where the system is installed.

During the presidential election, candidate Moon Jae In also called for public consultation and a parliamentary vote on the deployment of the system. In addition, Seoul and the US are still at odds over the financial costs of the THAAD system in South Korea.

China also protested and demanded an immediate halt to the deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea on May 2. “We are determined to use all means to protect our interests,” AFP quoted a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying.

According to Tuoi Tre