Political confrontation and wrangling are not abating over the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to defend against North Korea’s international ballistic missile threats, despite the government’s efforts to ease diplomatic and public safety concerns.
The THAAD issue is feared to drag the nation into a long-standing confrontation and political strife between pro-THAAD and anti-THAAD camps at a time when people are required to join forces in finding solutions in the interests of national security, not being swayed by political factional interests and regionalism.
Many pundits and observers worry that the THAAD issue could resemble such state mega-projects as the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island that has entailed huge social cost and mistrust due to the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) syndrome and political wrangling.
Ruling and opposition parties staged a heated confrontation over the THAAD issue from their own political viewpoints on the first day of a parliamentary session on July 19.
Opposition parties blasted the government’s decision to deploy the THAAD system, questioning the efficacy of the system and citing fears of military and economic retaliation by China and Russia. On the other hand, the ruling party, countering the spreading of such rumors related to the THAAD system as electromagnetic radiation harm to human beings and agricultural produce, stressed the need for the inevitable deployment of the THAAD system in consideration of North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile tests.
Rep. Sul Hoon of the Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) said, “The deployment of the THAAD system could escalate military tensions on the Korean Peninsula due to the acceleration of a race for military spending, caused by the restructuring of a new cold war confrontation of South Korea, United State and Japan vs. North Korea, China and Russia.”
Rep. Lee Yong-ho of the People’s Party lashed out over what he said a slipshod decision-making process. He added that the government has turned to “threes Nos” strategies but it suddenly decided on the deployment behind closed doors and in a slipshod fashion.
Rep. Lee Jong-myung of the Saenuri Party, who had his legs blown off by a mine while searching for his peers in the Demilitarized Zone in 2000, said, “I’m deeply frustrated over a rift over the deployment of the THAAD system and I deplore people’s numbness toward national security.” He blasted people using the THAAD for their own political advantage, causing a variety of unfounded rumors and misunderstanding and mistrust, “not based on national interests.”
Rep. Lee said he would join National Defense Minister Han Min-goo in undergoing an electromagnetic radiation test to certify that the THAAD system does no harm to the human body. He stressed that the asymmetric strategy North Korea most fears is a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, but people should discontinue abetting such mistrust, unfounded rumors and conflicts that undermine national security preparedness.
Rep. Kim Jin-tae echoed Rep. Lee’s views. “North Korea is staring us down with nuclear missiles. How can we fight over the deployment of response weapons? How can we win a war with this attitude?” Rep. Kim deplored. He called for the prosecution of some protesters against the THAAD issue, dismissing speculation over harmfulness of the electromagnetic radiation, caused by the THAAD system.
Ruling and opposition parties should share the same national security perspective, said Rep. Kim, adding he was expressing his respect to MPK leader Kim Jong-in, who tends to be in favor of it. In fact, political circles have showed a rift over the deployment of the THAAD system. Saenuri Party and MPK nixed ex-People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo’s proposal to put the THAAD issue to a national referendum or gain parliamentary approval. Even though some MPK lawmakers adamantly opposed the deployment, MPK is cautious in taking its official stance despite the People’s Party’s official call opposing the deployment of the THAAD system.
Korea’s decision to deploy the THAAD system has put the Korean business community on full alert over possible economic and diplomatic retaliation by China for the deployment. In particular, South Korea is now facing a geopolitical storm over potentially being forced to side the United States or China following the Hague tribunal’s ruling over the South China Sea.
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and National Defense Minister Han were virtually held hostage for almost six hours on July 19 by enranged protesters when they visited Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the site of the THAAD system, to hold an explanation session with Seongju residents.
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