THAAD Decision Derails Seoul-Beijing Military Talks

Seoul and Beijing have suspended their high-level defense talks as a result of South Korea's decision to deploy a controversial American anti-missile system in the country.

Sources reported November 6 that the planned visit of South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo to China for negotiations with Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan had stalled, and that the countries' annual vice-ministerial level military strategy talks were now not likely to take place. China and South Korea have held these defense talks every year since 2011.

South Korea decided in July to station the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on its territory, and recent reports say it will be deployed within the next eight to 10 months. The system is one of many new aggressive defense measures Seoul is taking as North Korea, amid international condemnation, continues to test nuclear devices and ballistic missiles.

China has consistently opposed the THAAD deployment, saying it undermines China's national interests and destabilizes the region's balance of power. THAAD is capable of detecting and intercepting Chinese missiles. Russia also opposes the deployment of the missile system.
 [sputniknews.com]
6/11/16

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