China Angrily Reacts With Threats After South Korean Missile Defence Decision

[Ryan Ruck]

China Angrily Reacts With Threats After South Korean Missile Defence Decision

February 28, 2017


A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test

Chinese state media has reacted with anger and threats of boycotts after the board of an affiliate of South Korea's Lotte Group approved a land swap with the government that will enable authorities to deploy a U.S. missile defence system.

The government decided last year to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, in response to the North Korean missile threat, on land that is part of a golf course owned by Lotte in the Seongju region, southeast of Seoul.

The board of unlisted Lotte International Co Ltd approved the deal with the government on Monday.

China objects to the deployment in South Korea of the THAAD, which has a powerful radar capable of penetrating Chinese territory, with Beijing saying it is a threat to its security and will do nothing to ease tension with North Korea.

Influential state-run Chinese tabloid the Global Times said in an editorial on Tuesday that Lotte should be shown the door in China.

"We also propose that Chinese society should coordinate voluntarily in expanding restrictions on South Korean cultural goods and entertainment exports to China, and block them when necessary," it said in its English-language edition.

The paper's Chinese version said South Korean cars and cellphones should be targeted as well.

"There are loads of substitutes for South Korean cars and cellphones," it said.

The WeChat account of the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily said late on Monday that cutting diplomatic ties should also be considered.

"If THAAD is really deployed in South Korea, then China-South Korea relations will face the possibility of getting ready to cut off diplomatic relations," it said.

The official Xinhua news agency also said in a commentary late on Monday that China "did not welcome this kind of Lotte".

"Chinese consumers can absolutely say no to this kind of company and their goods based on considerations of 'national security'," it said.

South Korea's defence ministry said on Tuesday it had signed a land swap deal with Lotte on the golf course in exchange for providing military property. A South Korean military official told Reuters the military would begin installing fences and soldiers would patrol the area.

The Lotte Group said on Feb. 8 Chinese authorities had stopped construction at a multi-billion dollar real estate project in China after a fire inspection, adding to concern in South Korea about damage to commercial relations with the world's second-largest economy.

Asked if South Korea had demanded the Chinese government suspend any economic retaliation, South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-kyun said: "We have continuously persuaded China so far and will keep continuing efforts to do so."

South Korean government officials have said THAAD is a defensive measure against North Korean threats and does not target any other country.

South Korea's central bank said this month the number of Chinese tourists visiting the tourist island of Jeju had fallen 6.7 percent over the Lunar New Year holiday from last year, partly because of China's "anti-South Korea measures due to the THAAD deployment decision".

[vector7]

China Vows Measures After THAAD Deployment: 'US Will Bear Consequences'

World | Reuters | Updated: March 07, 2017 14:40 IST

by Taboola
Sponsored Links

Sponsored
See 4 Risks You’ll Face with 3D Printing (Travelers)
5 Reasons We Love the Nutrisystem Program (Popdust for Nutrisystem)










EMAIL
PRINT
COMMENTS



Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors arrive at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek.

Beijing: China said Tuesday it would "resolutely" defend its security interests as the US began deploying the THAAD missile-defence system in South Korea that Beijing fears will undermine its own military capabilities.

"We are firmly opposed to the deployment of THAAD in the Republic of Korea by the US and the ROK," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"China will resolutely take necessary measures to defend our own security interests. All consequences entailed from this will be borne by the US and the ROK."

The US Pacific Command said Monday its military had begun deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea, which is aimed at defending the US ally from a North Korean attack.

The latest tests by nuclear-armed North Korea came Monday when it launched four missiles that it said were part of training for a strike on US bases in Japan.

Three of the missiles came down in waters provocatively close to Japan.

Beijing has railed against the deployment of THAAD, while the South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group has come under pressure in China for providing land to host the system.

Geng, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, did not specify what measures China would take.

"We strongly urge relevant parties to stop the deployment and not to travel down that wrong path," he said.

Chinese protesters have held demonstrations denouncing Lotte, which also faces multiple threats of consumer or business boycotts.

South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Tuesday that Chinese authorities had shut down 39 of Lotte's retail outlets in the country, citing fire-safety concerns.

The THAAD system is meant to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles during their final phase of flight.© Thomson Reuters 2017

[Ryan Ruck]

South Korea Halts THAAD Anti-Missile System Rollout

June 7, 2017

South Korea is suspending the deployment of a controversial missile defence system while the government examines its environmental impact.

The rollout of the US-funded Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) may be on hold for a year.

Four recently arrived launchers will not be deployed, an official said. Two already installed will stay in place.

THAAD aims to protect South Korea from the North's missiles, and has been criticised at home and by China.

The office of recently-elected President Moon Jae-in said that a comprehensive environmental study of THAAD was needed and that it could take up to a year to complete.

During that time, THAAD's deployment would be frozen as it was not "urgent enough" to bypass the assessment, it said.

THAAD began its rollout earlier this year under South Korea's previous presidential administration, a move which Mr Moon has said was "regrettable".

The suspension comes days after Mr Moon's office accused the defence ministry of withholding information about THAAD from the president.

It said the military did not tell Mr Moon about the delivery of the four other THAAD launchers.

The ministry has defended this decision, saying it had to uphold a confidentiality agreement with the US.

Many South Koreans have objected to THAAD, believing it will become a target and endanger the lives of those who live near its launch sites.

China has also voiced opposition to the system, saying it affects the regional security balance.