Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

[MND] “Deliver correct information about THAAD-related issues"

Left for Guam with reporters to verify the safety management status of the THAAD unit

Concerns over the influences of electromagnetic waves, such as burns, noise, and effects on fishery activity, sufficiently dispelled

“No harm to humans or crops at a safe distance from the THAAD radar.”

The MND has come forward to provide correct information about THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), including the harmfulness of a radar's electromagnetic waves and other problematic issues. The MND left for Guam on July 17 with a group of reporters to determine whether the THAAD unit is being operated safely.

By taking a stance on THAAD-related issues to provide people with a better understanding of THAAD, it was announced that on July 15, the MND had reaffirmed that there was little possibility of burns occurring due to electromagnetic waves; they stated that the power density of the THAAD radar from a safe distance was in compliance with the safety criteria stipulated by both muncipal law and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Prior to this, the MND verified that the highest value of electromagnetic waves within a safe distance was extremely slight, based on measurement of the waves using Green Pine and Patriot radars.

Related to the electromagnetic waves and noise issue of Japan's early warning radar based in Kyogamisaki, Kyoto, as reported by some media reports on July 16, the MND said, t“Japanese government performed three measurements of the electromagnetic waves on the surface of the sea 200 m ahead of the radar and in 2 neighboring villages. The result was 0.”

They also explained, “ A generator had been operated due to there being no commercial electricity leading into the base and this had been the cause of the noise problems. Currently, electric power supply systems are being constructed.”

The MND has assembled a team featuring Ryu Je-seung, the Republic of Korea’s Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy, as representative. The team visited the radar base in Kyogamisaki last April. An MND official said, “Since the base was installed, normal fishing activities have continued on the sea ahead of the radar base. We also verified that there was no communication failure among the fishing boats due to the electromagnetic waves being emitted from the radar.”

The MND is planning to actively respond to and promote THAAD deployment to bolster a greater understanding among the public.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >
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