Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“THAAD deployment, a self-defensive action for our people”

Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo made an apology to Seongju residents for the lack of explanations before the announcement of THAAD, and emphasized that it was a self-defensive action to protect the safety of Korea and the people.

Minister Han carefully listened to opinions of Seongju residents at a meeting with the ‘Struggle Committee for Withdrawal of THAAD Deployment’ held at Seongju county office in the afternoon on August 17. And he explained why and how the THAAD battery is to be deployed in Seongju.

He politely apologized and said, “I’m really sorry that not enough explanations were provided before the announcement of the site selected for THAAD deployment, as well as our lack of effort in asking for your understanding. The THAAD battery deployment is a self-defensive action to protect the safety of Korea and its people from the increasingly serious nuclear threats coming from North Korea.”

At the closed-door meeting, the struggle committee asked him questions about the need for THAAD deployment, its military usefulness and the safety of local residents.

Minister Han answered with the result of review and evaluation.

The committee requested that alternate plans be made by the Ministry of National Defense as soon as possible in relation to the ‘3rd proposed site’ which has been brought up by the media, and the Minister said he will review this question once he gets the pulse of local opinion.

“A visit to Seongju by Minister Han is the starting point for communication and the beginning of solving the problems related to THAAD deployment by the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea. The MND will listen to local residents’ opinions and make its best efforts to communicate,” said an MND official.

By Byeong-No, Yun < trylover@dema.mil.kr >
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