South Korean president criticizes THAAD opponents

(Baonghean.vn) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye on October 13 once again criticized those who oppose the plan to deploy the US THAAD missile defense system in South Korea. At the same time, she emphasized that Seoul is facing a "great security crisis" due to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

South Korean President Park Guen-hye speaks at a cabinet meeting in Seoul on October 11. Photo: Yonhap

In a message to the National Veterans Sports Festival on October 13, Ms. Park also emphasized that Pyongyang's military program is posing a "tangible" threat that could push all Koreans into "genocide."

"Some people in our society are opposing the deployment of the THAAD defense system, even though it is the minimum defense system and there is no alternative to protect people's lives," Ms. Park said.

Ms. Park also added: "National unity is the most important thing to contribute to resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis and maintaining peace in South Korea."

Park's statement came four days after former opposition leader Moon Jae-in called on the South Korean government to temporarily suspend the THAAD deployment plan and to step up diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.

Seoul and Washington previously agreed to deploy the THAAD missile defense system at a golf course in the southern province of Seongju, about 290 km southeast of the capital Seoul, by the end of 2017, to strengthen defense capabilities against Pyongyang's nuclear and missile threats.

Afterwards, residents in Seongju province and surrounding areas held protests against the THAAD defense system deployment plan, claiming that radiation emitted from the defense system could affect people's health and damage agricultural crops.

In addition, Beijing and Moscow have also called for the cancellation of the THAAD deployment plan, saying it would undermine their countries' security interests.

Thanh Hien

(According to Yonhap)