President Park Geun-hye on Thursday presided over the National Security Council and called for an end to “unnecessary debate” over the latest decision to deploy the U.S. missile defense system here.
“The security of the Republic of Korea faces an immense challenge. If we lose the safety of the country and the people due to conflicting interests and enmity leading to competition, there will no longer be the Republic of Korea,” Park said.
This is the second public mention of THAAD by Park, who had said during a meeting with senior secretaries last week that the deployment does not target any country other than North Korea.
President Park Geun-hye speaks during the NSC meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday. (Cheong Wa Dae)
South Korea and the U.S.’ decision last week to deploy the missile defense system on the peninsula had sparked aggressive debate, such as over the system’s incapacity to cover the Seoul area, safety and health concerns, and a potential diplomatic and economic backlash.
“Upon review, we have reached a decision that Seongju is the optimal candidate site. It is a safe region, so safe that even the thought of being worried sounds odd.”
Park also called for continued communication with Seongju residents and added, “We should be repaying the residents (in some way) for having shared their region for the sake of national security.”
Seongju residents, upon the government’s decision to deploy THAAD in the region, have fiercely opposed the decision such as by holding large-scare rallies. The county’s governor and local councilors have also gone on a hunger strike.
The residents have demanded the deployment decision to be withdrawn amid speculation that the THAAD radar system’s signals might cause cancer and infertility. The Seoul government has consistently insisted the claims are groundless.
In mind of the escalating opposition -- supported by a majority of the ruling party lawmakers representing the region’s constituencies -- Park assured that the radar would not pose health risks.
Explaining that the radar will emanate electromagnetic waves some 700 meters above ground, Park said those in the area will hence have no reason to worry.
She also added that the deployment of the THAAD system would ensure the safety of residents who live in the southern part of the peninsula by covering areas that existing PAC-2 missiles cannot cover.
Sources said that Defense Minister Han Min-koo plans to travel to Seongju in the near future to explain the government’s position on the deployment.
The ruling and opposition parties, meanwhile, agreed to hold plenary sessions from July 19-20 to discuss THAAD by calling in relevant government officials.
While the ruling Saenuri Party is troubled by dissenting lawmakers representing the Gyeongsang provinces, the main opposition The Minjoo Party of Korea has yet to streamline its stance on the THAAD decision. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)