U.S. missile defense could hurt S. Korea-China ties: scholar

[Aepsilons]

no. i state facts. the fact is THAAD is for american defense interest only and it has zero practical use for south korea. other than worsening relationship between ROK and PRC, making ROK more vulnerable for attacks, it has zero benefit for ROK. ROK also likely have to pay for the deployment of THAAD itself. basically, the ROK is paying for the deployment of THAAD for US defense that have zero usefulness for ROK.

Then i rightfully disagree with your premise. Staunchly at that. South Korea, as a major economic power, should have the capability to defend itself against the threats of North Korea's ballistic missile program, which are aimed for and whose use are for South Korea (as if there has been a shortage of nuclear threats and 'imminent destruction' from Pyongyang to South Korea and Japan). South Korea is not a nuclear power , nor does she aspire to be one, however, her neighbor in the north is already one with a blatant and vociferous leadership that have threatened to use these platforms to destroy South Korea. If the South Koreans wish to defend themselves from this threat vis-a-vis THAAD mechanism then they have the right to do that, as they do suffer from an existential threat from Pyongyang.

Again, i reiterate, it is unwise to underestimate the threat of North Korea's unmitigated and uninhibited nuclear program. China , as a partner for peace and a nation that should understand the security issues of Seoul, should consider the situation pragmatically and reflexively.



Respectfully ,
@Nihonjin1051

 

[Nan Yang]

You do not promote friendship by building a shield against your neighbor.

 

[Aepsilons]

Nor do you promote friendship by making nukes and proclaim it to be used against two other neighbors.

 

[Echo_419]

Li is wrong, if South Korea deploys the THAAD, it will be aimed against North Korea, not the Chinese. There is no need to over-complicate this dynamic. Beijing needs to understand this.

Let's not kid ourselves here
Any missile defense shield that SK will deploy for NK will reduce Beijing's nuclear capability in the region
So Chinese concerns are valid best solution is to take Chinese into confidence before deploying such system

You do not promote friendship by building a shield against your neighbor.

I second that but you don't build friendship by proclaiming that you will then your nieghbours capital into a sea of fired

 

[xunzi]

The way our local friend @Nihonjin1051 talks, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to hate this guy if you are an international community friends. LOL I got to give him credit for being so good. It is shame the US didn't hire him in their propaganda machine. LOL

 

[Pangu]

Seoul says no plan to buy U.S. missile-defense system

By Oh Seok-min

SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea reaffirmed Monday its long-held stance of not purchasing an advanced missile-defense battery from the United States amid growing calls from its ruling party lawmakers to introduce it to better guard against North Korea's missiles.

The U.S. has hinted at the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery on Korean soil, home to about 28,500 American troops, to better cope with the growing threats of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities.

"The defense ministry has no plan to purchase a THAAD system," ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a regular briefing. "Basically, the system would do good to better defend the country from missiles from North Korea, but we will make a judgment by putting the national interest as our top priority."

While officials here, including defense minister Han Min-koo, have said its deployment would be helpful for the security of the Korean Peninsula, though the nation is not considering buying the system, the Seoul government has said it will make a decision "after the U.S. sets its position and asks for cooperation or any consultation."

The issue has been the focus of attention here as the move is seen by critics as part of a broader U.S. attempt to get the Asian ally to join its missile-defense (MD) system. But instead of joining the U.S. system, South Korea has been developing its own Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD), a low-tier air defense program, and the Kill Chain, which is designed to launch strikes right after signs are detected of imminent nuclear or missile provocations by Pyongyang.

"We will establish an MD system of our own against North Korea's ballistic missiles by developing L-SAM and M-SAM surface-to-air missiles," Kim stressed.

Civic groups hold protests in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2015, against the possible deployment of the THAAD battery on Korean soil. (Yonhap file photo)

Kim's remarks come at a time when lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri Party have voiced support for the deployment of a THAAD battery in South Korea.

On Sunday, Rep. Won Yoo-chul told reporters that he is "absolutely" supportive of the deployment, as the primary goal of the move by the U.S. is to guarantee the safety of its troops here and their families.

Rep. Na Kyung-won also said during a local TV talk show that she sees a "high necessity" for the deployment, calling for efforts to "persuade China if needed."

"We will set our party's (formal) position on the THAAD introduction after discussions with our members during the general meeting slated for the end of this month, as many of our lawmakers favor the move," said Rep. Yoo Seong-min, the floor leader of the ruling party.

As an integral part of the U.S.-led air defense system for the region, the THAAD is designed to intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles at high altitudes in their terminal phase.

Opponents also say a THAAD deployment in South Korea would inflame tensions with China and Russia as they see the move as a threat to their security interests. The two countries have repeatedly expressed concern and opposition at such a possibility in recent months.

graceoh@yna.co.kr

Seoul says no plan to buy U.S. missile-defense system

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

@Kiss_of_the_Dragon ,

I'm empathetic to the Chinese sensibilities, naturally there will be an aversion to the THAAD because of its capability to down Chinese missiles, but there is no need for such aversion since there is no way THAAD systems could predicate victory in the event of armed hostilities with Beijing (not that I'm saying there will be, because there wont). Do you honestly think that 1 or 2 THAAD batteries can be sufficient enough to withstand a barrage of the PLA's short, to medium range batteries? I think even the most liberal of strategic analysts would dare remain mum on that aspect.

I reiterate that the THAAD is solely placed and designed to counter the the threat of North Korea. Or have you not recognized the fact that they (North Koreans) may have up to 200 nuclear warheads , and they already have the vehicle to launch these to say South Korea, and Japan. I'm afraid you and some others are failing to recognize just how severe the threat of North Korea really is --- and the effect that pariah state has on the entire dynamic of Northeast Asia.


Sincere and austere regards,
I remain ever,
@Nihonjin1051

@Nihonjin1051

C'mon give me a break Njhon, unless you consider Chinese and Russian strategists are completely idiots, they both consulted each other regarding US's THAAD deployment and threat to both our NUKEs delivery, even Russia is oppose to THAAD in Korea because it a threat to their far east manybe less than China, It's understandable that you tried to play down the signficant of THAAD because you're on US's camp but Chinese and Russian have different perspective regarding this issue.

As for Korea, it gonna pay a price for that for implementing this system, not only China but Russia will not go easy on it and that I think you Japanese wish the most, because anything bad happend to Korea. you Japanese can rip the benefice such sanction over SAMSUNG will only benefit Japanese electronic compagnies and Apple.

China and Russia can also go back to revive South Korea's nightmare which to arm North Korea to the teeth and Japan will surely something to get as attention. Unlike WW2 that Japan can bomb Korea to stone age with impunity but now a nuclear North Korea with China and Russia's backing which can be a devastating to Japan, that something you have to take into consideration, so if you're happy that THAAD will deter China and Russia far EAst missles, than you should also accept the domino effect of THAAD in Korea and any repercussion to Japan.

 

[BoQ77]

If THAAD is there for intercept ANY ballistic missile over South Korean head, it's good for South Korea.

 

[70U63]

Nor do you promote friendship by making nukes and proclaim it to be used against two other neighbors.

Chinese nukes are reserved for US only, other nations don't have this type of 'luxury'.

 

[Aepsilons]

C'mon give me a break Njhon, unless you consider Chinese and Russian strategists are completely idiots, they both consulted each other regarding US's THAAD deployment and threat to both our NUKEs delivery, even Russia is oppose to THAAD in Korea because it a threat to their far east manybe less than China, It's understandable that you tried to play down the signficant of THAAD because you're on US's camp but Chinese and Russian have different perspective regarding this issue.

As for Korea, it gonna pay a price for that for implementing this system, not only China but Russia will not go easy on it and that I think you Japanese wish the most, because anything bad happend to Korea. you Japanese can rip the benefice such sanction over SAMSUNG will only benefit Japanese electronic compagnies and Apple.

China and Russia can also go back to revive South Korea's nightmare which to arm North Korea to the teeth and Japan will surely something to get as attention. Unlike WW2 that Japan can bomb Korea to stone age with impunity but now a nuclear North Korea with China and Russia's backing which can be a devastating to Japan, that something you have to take into consideration, so if you're happy that THAAD will deter China and Russia far EAst missles, than you should also accept the domino effect of THAAD in Korea and any repercussion to Japan.

Hi,

Your analysis is too simplistic. In addition, the erroneous examples you made make this post impossible for me to take seriously. For example, you go on to mention "Unlike WW2 that Japan can bomb Korea to stone age with impunity but now a nuclear North Korea with China and Russia can be a devastating to Japan...."

Are you serious? Japan never bombed Korea (in Japanese we referred to the Korean Colony as Chosen, and this period was referred to as Nippon Tochi-jidai no Chosen). Chosen (Korea) was an Imperial Crown Colony of the Japanese Empire, and was developed from a feudal state to an industrial state within a span of 50 years that it was part of the Japanese Empire (the same goes for Taiwan, which we referred to as -- Dai Nippon Teikoku Tawian). During the early 1930s and early 1940s, the city of Heijo (Pyongyang as it is known now) was an industrial center in Northeast Asia, it was the Japanese Empire's industrial center in mainland Northern Asia --- the shear development the country experienced under Japanese rule was impressive. Contrary to what some nationalistic Koreans would say that Japan was brutal and destructive to Korea --- I argue the antithesis. Yes, Koreans may be maligned in the fact that their country was conquered and included into the Japanese Empire, but under Japanese rule, Chosen (Korea) was transformed into a model entity, colony. Japanese built schools, hospitals, produced infrastructure, introduced modern medicine, introduced national conscription, removed hereditary government policies, introduced western education, and introduced industry , introduced modern agricultural farming techniques, improved irrigation, built ports, built airports. The quality of life of Koreans improved under Japanese Empire. So not everything was 'pure bad'.

Lastly, i want to reiterate that Japan did not bomb or destroy Korea. On contrary, Japan developed and made Korea inot a shining powerful industrialized peninsula. In fact , Korea was even more developed that some parts of Japan. The damage Korea experienced was after the end of WW2 when the Soviet Red Army stormed through Manchuria and northern areas of Korea. Subsequently the Korean War and the massive fighting had destroyed much of the vast infrastructure that was built and developed under the Japanese Empire.

The sight of the Korean War was --- painful to every Japanese Heart. Korea, as in the past, and in the present is and will always be precious to Japan and Japanese people. Despite what Korean nationalists say about Japan or the vitriol some say about Japanese people --- it does not change the fact that Japan will always view Korea with great interest and love. Korea , like Taiwan, is a former Imperial Crown Colony. The bonds are deep , despite political media's sensationalism.

You should know that.



Sincere Regards,
I Remain,
@Nihonjin1051