US began delivery of THAAD anti-ballistic missile system to South Korea
Equipment for THAAD anti-ballistic missile system has been delivered to the deployment site in south-eastern part of South Korea, reports Yonhap news agency.
According to the agency, six trucks with radar and other equipment arrived at a Golf Club in the city of Songdo. The delivery reportedly angered local residents that led to a clash with the police.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense later confirmed the delivery of the equipment.
THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-ballistic missile system is designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach.
The purpose of the deployment of THAAD in South Korea is to ensure the protection of the US and Allied troops, as well as cities and important facilities from short and long-range ballistic missiles. Washington and Seoul agreed on the deployment of THAAD to South Korea as a result of the increased tensions with North Korea due to Pyongyang refusal to freeze its nuclear program. China and Russia spoke against the deployment of THAAD system in South Korea.