[2nd Report] Ministry of National Defense "Ground Transport of Replacement Equipment Underway at Seongju THAAD Base"

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 29th, "Since last night until this morning, we have been supporting the ground transportation of the US Forces Korea at Seongju Base."

The Ministry explained that this ground transportation is intended to improve the working conditions of the ROK-US soldiers stationed at Seongju Base and to replace some aging equipment.

The Ministry emphasized, "The ground transportation is being carried out as safely as possible, taking into account the surrounding conditions."

After North Korea's 4th nuclear test and long-range rocket (missile) launch in January 2016 increased nuclear and missile threats, calls for deploying the US Forces Korea's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system grew louder. The ROK-US military authorities selected Seongju-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, as the THAAD base site in July of the same year. Despite strong opposition from civic groups and local residents, the Seongju Golf Course was confirmed as an alternative site in September amid the aftermath of North Korea's 5th nuclear test, and the THAAD deployment was pushed forward.

THAAD is a high-altitude defense system that intercepts ballistic missiles at altitudes of 40 to 150 km. Together with the Korean Missile Defense system, which is a lower-altitude defense system below 40 km, it establishes a multi-layered defense system.

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