Former Commander of US Forces Korea: "No Need for Additional THAAD Deployment in Korea"

"If Integrated with Other Missile Defense Systems, North Korean Missile Defense Possible" ... Better Than Additional Deployment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Vincent Brooks, former commander of the United States Forces Korea, has argued that there is no need to deploy additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems. He analyzed that better operation is possible by linking THAAD with other missile defense systems, which is considered an unusual statement from a key U.S. figure.

On the 3rd, through the U.S. Radio Free Asia (RFA), former Commander Brooks stated, "THAAD can defend South Korea from North Korean missile threats when integrated with other missile defense systems such as the Patriot missile defense radar and South Korea's Green Pine radar," adding that an integrated defense system would be better than additional THAAD deployments.

Former Commander Brooks particularly emphasized the successful integrated interception test of THAAD and Patriot missiles. He said, "The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted interoperability tests using the THAAD radar to successfully intercept enemy missiles with the low-altitude interceptor Patriot missile, and the results can be directly applied to South Korea's missile defense."

Regarding the agenda of the recent South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held last month, he clarified that it was not about additional THAAD deployment but about improving the deployment environment of the THAAD battery. He explained, "The agenda on 'ensuring stable deployment conditions and establishing long-term plans for the THAAD base' is not about additional THAAD deployment but about improving the deployment environment of the existing THAAD battery."

After the 52nd SCM, South Korean Defense Minister Seo Wook and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper included in their joint statement a commitment to establish long-term plans to ensure stable deployment conditions for the THAAD battery at the Seongju base.

In response, North Korea criticized the possibility of additional THAAD deployment through its propaganda outlet, Uriminzokkiri. On the 2nd, the outlet published an article titled "Like Going to Be Beaten While Wearing a Cangue," claiming, "At the annual security consultative meeting, there was an agreement to establish long-term plans to ensure stable deployment conditions for the THAAD battery deployed at the Seongju base in North Gyeongsang Province, and they are scheming additional THAAD deployments accordingly." It further asserted, "Unilateral joint military exercises and provocative military build-ups such as additional THAAD deployments are reckless acts that escalate tensions and the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula and the region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.