Skip to main content

South Korea hits back at Trump for demanding $1bn for Thaad missile deployment

South Korea has slammed US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Seoul should pay for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missile system that is now being deployed in the country. Trump had earlier questioned why the US was paying for the system that he valued at $1bn (£775m).
"I informed South Korea it would be appropriate if they paid. It's a billion dollar system," Trump said in an interview with Reuters on Thursday (27 April). "It's phenomenal, shoots missiles right out of the sky."
"There is no change in South Korea and the United States' position that our government provides the land and supporting facilities and the US bears the cost of Thaad system's deployment, operation and maintenance," South Korea's defence ministry responded.
Despite strong opposition from China, the US military started deploying the Thaad in early March in a bid to help South Korea intercept Pyongyang's ballistic missiles and defend itself against a potential missile attack from the isolated country.
The deployment has also been a major topic of discussion in South Korea's ongoing presidential race. Front runner Moon Jae-in's top foreign policy adviser said Trump's suggestion that Seoul pay for Thaad would be an "impossible option".
"Even if we purchase THAAD, its main operation would be in the hands of the United States," said Kim Ki-jung, foreign policy adviser to Moon and professor at Seoul's Yonsei University. "So purchasing it would be an impossible option. That was our topic when we were considering the options."
Trump's remarks came after the US started bringing in launchers, radar and other key elements of the advanced anti-missile defence system to the site in Seongju, south of the country, on 26 April. The surprise move to accelerate the deployment came amid tensions in the peninsula following North Korea's acts of belligerence, showing off its fire power.
Moon had called the move very inappropriate and regrettable and said it stripped the next Seoul government of its right to decide on its own about Thaad.
Thaad



Trump's comments seem to have taken South Korean businesses by surprise. An official from South Korea's automakers' association told Reuters that the group was now worried about the "uncertainty" of the free-trade deal.
"Talk and actual policy are different. They [the Trump administration] have not requested anything from us so we'll have to wait and see," a top South Korean finance ministry official, speaking anonymously, saidDonald Trump

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ranking the World's Most Iconic Football Stadiums

  The world's top football stadiums are more than just venues for games; they're iconic representations of a team's heritage and character. Here are a few of the most renowned stadiums: 1. Wembley Stadium (London, England): This legendary venue has hosted some of the biggest games in football history, including the 1966 World Cup Final and the 2011 Champions League Final. Its impressive arch and excellent acoustics make it a standout stadium. 2. Allianz Arena (Munich, Germany): This modern stadium is known for its sleek design and vibrant atmosphere. Its exterior shell changes color depending on the team playing, making it a unique and recognizable landmark. 3. Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid, Spain): As the home stadium of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabéu is a symbol of the team's success and legacy. Its excellent acoustics, modern design, and electric atmosphere make it a must-visit for any football fan. 4. Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund, Germany): This stadium is famous for its...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jailbreak: FG pledges to relocate correctional centers

  Jailbreak: FG pledges to relocate correctional centers Published   on   April 26, 2024 By   Esther Chisom Tunji-Ojo made the pledge when he visited the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. DAILY POST recalls that 119 inmates escaped from the prison following a rainstorm that damaged the facility on Wednesday. The minister said it was imperative to relocate a lot of the correctional centres to a more conducive environment. “This facility was built in 1914 to house 250 inmates; before this incident, we had 499. “This is a testimony to what we keep talking about the overcrowding of our correctional centres. “You can look at the environment, it shows that we need to relocate them away from city centres to create better space, better security, and better infrastructure,” he said in a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mr Ozoya Imohimi. Tunji-Ojo said the ministry is already working behind the scenes to build a be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Panic Among Ministers As Buhari Set To Reshuffle Cabinet

President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed speculations about an impending cabinet reshuffle and the reconstitution of the boards of federal agencies, to make the government function better. Buhari made his plans public in an address to party leaders at the APC NEC meeting yesterday. While admitting that the reconstitution of boards had been long in coming, the President explained that the need to ensure the right balance was largely responsible for the delay. This is coming two years after he took office in 2015. Those familiar with the President’s plan, said the planned cabinet reshuffle is likely to lead to a split of the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Works, Power and Housing. Observers are of the view that the President’s latest move is aimed at dousing growing tension. President Buhari said, “I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager for these appointments to be announced. By the Grace of God, these appointments will be announced soon, es...
Post a Comment
Read more