Decision on missile defense to be Seoul's alone

The Republic of Korea's defense ministry said on Tuesday that it will decide on whether to deploy the advanced US missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula based "on its own judgment".

Defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a press briefing that though neighboring countries can have their own positions on the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense deployment by the US Forces Korea, the country's neighbors "should not try to exercise their influence on our national defense and security policy".

The advanced US missile defense system, developed by US-based Lockheed Martin, was designed to intercept ballistic missiles at an altitude of 40 to 150 km.

The United States has expressed its hope to deploy the THAAD battery on the Korean Peninsula to better fend off what it claimed to be nuclear and missile threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"If the US government asks the Republic of Korea for consultations after deciding on the THAAD deployment by the US Forces Korea, our defense ministry plans to make a decision and judgment on our own after considering military effectiveness and national security interests," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the THAAD deployment came from the perspectives of deterrence and response to the DPRK's nuclear and missile threats, which should be eliminated.

Asked whether the ROK should purchase the THAAD system, Kim said the ROK "never had any plan to purchase the THAAD", adding that the country only has a plan to establish its own missile defense system called Korea Air and Missile Defense.

His comments indicated the ROK's existing position on the THAAD deployment, or "three nos" - no request, no consultation and no decision. It means that there have been no request from the United States and no consultations between Seoul and Washington over the issue, so no decision has been made yet.

But if Washington calls on Seoul to deploy the US missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula, the ROK is highly likely to accept the proposal though it may refuse to purchase the expensive THAAD system.

ROK Defense Minister Han Min-koo told lawmakers in October that if the THAAD was deployed under situations in which the ROK had limited available means to respond to nuclear and missile threats from the DPRK, the THAAD would "help our security and defense".