Formation of THAAD Environmental Impact Assessment Council... Initiation of Normalization

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) Environmental Impact Assessment Council for the US Forces Korea base in Seongju, Gyeongbuk has been formed.

On the 29th, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop stated during the National Assembly Defense Committee plenary session in response to related inquiries, "I recall that the Environmental Impact Assessment Council was formed on the 19th."

Earlier, on June 16, the Ministry of National Defense sent official letters requesting the nomination of members from local governments and environmental agencies, among other institutions required by law to form the assessment council. While all other institutions nominated members, Seongju County was unable to nominate a resident representative, leaving one seat vacant. After about two months, the council formation was completed.

Accordingly, the normalization of the THAAD base is expected to accelerate. The general environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act is an essential procedure for the normalization of the THAAD base, but the council responsible for conducting this assessment had not been formed until now. 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 council formation was postponed.

With the council now formed, the assessment plan can be finalized, and investigation and evaluation can commence. Subsequently, through explanatory meetings and public hearings to gather residents' opinions, the council will draft the main report and consult with the Ministry of Environment to complete the assessment.

The general environmental impact assessment typically takes more than a year, but the government is reportedly aiming to shorten the required time as much as possible. The government has also announced plans to complete the normalization of base conditions, including securing ground access, by the end of this month. 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.