THAAD 'inevitable' for national security: ruling party

South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party on Wednesday said the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system is an "inevitable" choice to protect the country from North Korea's growing missile threats and urged the opposition parties to cooperate in supporting the move.

"The government made the inevitable choice for the country's survival and security," said Kim Hee-ok, the party's interim leader, requesting the support of the opposition parties and the general public on this matter.

Last week, Seoul and Washington agreed to station the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea to better counter advances in Pyongyang's missile capability.

While the government stressed the deployment will permit Seoul to better tackle missile and nuclear provocations, opposition parties have been expressing discontent against the move, adding such a step could make China and Russia uncomfortable.

Chung Jin-suk (left) the floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, enters for a meeting at Seoul-based National Assembly headquarter with Kim Hee-ok, the party's interim leader on July 13. (Yonhap)

Rep. Chung Jin-suk, the party whip, said while some may have reservations about the deployment, THAAD will not be deployed on South Korea permanently, and will be shipped out once Pyongyang's provocations end.

"We should only think of the country's interest and security," Chung said. "There can be no not-in-my-back-yard reactions on North Korea's nuclear and missile threats." (Yonhap)