Korea must not be swayed by China over national security

The mountainous terrain of Chilgok in Northern Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, is emerging as the optimal spot to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), a missile defense system aimed at staving off provocations from North Korea. The joint working group between the U.S. and South Korea, which has had consultations on this issue since March, found that other spots including Pyeongtaek, Eumseong, and Wonju had lower levels of military utility as they were within the striking range of artillery guns. Indeed, deployment of THAAD system in Chilgok will cover the protection of other key facilities in Waegwan, the area with a huge stockpile of military supplies and equipment, the U.S. military bases in Daegu and Pyeongtaek, and Gyeryongdae, as well as the Port of Busan. Conflict with the local residents of Chilgok will be minimal as it is a mountainous area, and the cost for site-building is also relatively small. This reflects the judgment of the U.S. and South Korea that Seoul will be protected with the Patriot missiles deployed around the metropolitan areas.

“Our nuclear-first offense posture completed by possession of nuclear power and mid-and long-ranged strategic ballistic missiles is far from a bargaining chip by which to earn recognition from others or lay foundation for any type of negotiation,” said North Korea last Friday. There is no time for us to be sitting on our hands when North Korea is making a public treat to strike the White House as well as the U.S. base in Guam, which will send forces to South Korea in case of emergencies on the peninsula. Some of the leftists in South Korea question the striking capacity of THAAD system and are concerned over South Korea’s incorporating into the U.S. missile defense network, but it remains clear that dual operation of the Patriot missiles and THAAD will increase interception rate, which will strengthen our defense posture.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who views THAAD system as America’s ploy to besiege China, clarified his stance again last Wednesday to South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Gyo-ahn that he opposes the deployment of THAAD in Korea. During a summit meeting on June 25, President Xi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin shared their view against deployment of THAAD. Some Chinese say that if THAAD is deployed in South Korea, they will take a retaliatory measure against the Korean economy, but we should not give up on our sovereignty for security simply out of fear.

If deploying THAAD system is essential to South Korea’s survival, President Park Geun-hye will have to put the matter of protecting her country before anything else and stop being swayed by China. We can choose to remain hostage of North Korea’s nuclear gambling or we can choose to take all possible measures of offense and defense to neutralize North Korea’s nuclear program. Relations with China are certainly important, but it can never outweigh the matter of protecting the life and property of our people.

한기흥기자 eligius@donga.com