Defense News reports that “South Korea has decided to deploy a US advanced missile defense system in the country’s southeastern region following years of controversy over the weapon system’s effectiveness against North Korea’s increasing missile capability.”  

“The plan, however, immediately prompted backlash from North Korea and China, which claim the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system will intimidate their security postures, as well as local residents fearing the potential health hazards caused by the system’s radar.”  

“’By operating the THAAD battery in Seongju, we will be able to better protect one-half to two-thirds of our citizens from North Korean nuclear and missile threats,’ Ryu Je-seung, deputy defense minister for policy, told reporters July 13.”