In South Korea, the US military started moving equipment for the THAAD missile system to its deployment site. The transport of radars and other military gear caused local residents to clash with police forces.
The positioning began early Wednesday morning atĀ a golf course inĀ South Korea, Yonhap reports.
THAAD has been a point ofĀ contention amongĀ not just residents and law enforcement: Beijing has been an outspoken critic ofĀ the THAAD system’s placement inĀ South Korea.
Ā© AP PHOTO/ U.S. FORCE KOREA
THAAD is a ground-based missile interceptor system primarily designed toĀ thwart medium range missile threats. Chinese government officials see THAAD asĀ an encroachment ofĀ US military might inĀ the nation’s backyard. THAAD’s radar elements essentailly provide the US military withĀ eyes intoĀ some ofĀ China’s missile testing.
Beijing feels it could be used toĀ surveil and disrupt their nuclear programĀ and missile systems.
