Seoul, Washington discussing location of THAAD deployment

SEOUL, (Yonhap) — South Korea and the United States are discussing the possible location of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system that could be deployed in the country to deter North Korea’s ever growing missile threats, military sources said Monday.

According to sources, the possible candidates for the base of the THAAD system includes U.S. military bases in the southern city of Daegu or Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul.

The interceptor missile systems and their related sensors could also be located in non-urban areas, the sources added.

Another insider with knowledge on the matter said it is reviewing the feasibility of all candidate locations but said it has not yet narrowed down sites.

Bilateral talks began right after the North fired off a long range missile in February and Pyongyang’s detonation of its fourth nuclear device a month earlier.

Military pundits expect the decision to be made before the Security Consultative Meeting slated for October.

Seoul and Washington have been refraining from making detailed statements on the deployment of the THAAD system, especially as China has been expressing discontent against the move, claiming that it could be used against Beijing.

Seoul and Washington, on the other hand, claim that the THAAD system is vital to better cope with nuclear and missile threats.