Delay in Normalization of THAAD Base Due to Lack of Resident Representative Recommendations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The procedure to normalize the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) base operated by the US Forces Korea is being delayed. This is because the local government in charge, which was requested to recommend resident members for the THAAD base Environmental Impact Assessment Council (hereinafter referred to as the Assessment Council), has not been able to elect resident representatives.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 5th, an official letter requesting the recommendation of resident representatives for the Assessment Council was sent on the 4th. This is the third official letter. The Ministry of National Defense first sent an official letter last month on the 6th to local governments and environmental-related institutions, requesting the recommendation of members necessary for the formation of the Assessment Council according to the law. By the response deadline of the 24th of last month, Seongju County recommended one government official representative but sent a “recommendation pending” status for the resident representatives. The Ministry of National Defense sent a second official letter requesting member recommendations on the 27th, but no recommendations were made by the deadline of the 1st of this month.

There is no limit on the number of official letters that can be sent according to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and related laws. However, the atmosphere is not favorable as Seongju and Gimcheon residents held protests against the THAAD base in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 23rd of last month, and insiders expect the process to take a long time.

The general environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act is an essential procedure for normalizing the THAAD base, but the Assessment Council responsible for conducting it has not yet been formed. The previous Moon Jae-in administration attempted to start the general environmental impact assessment in 2019, but due to strong resident opposition, only preliminary preparations for the assessment were made, and the formation of the council was postponed.

Once the Assessment Council is formed, it can finalize the assessment plan and begin investigation and evaluation. Then, through briefings and public hearings to gather residents’ opinions, the council drafts the main document and consults with the Ministry of Environment, concluding the assessment.

Currently, the THAAD base is in a temporary operational deployment status, and the United States continues to urge our government for prompt normalization.

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