South Korea refutes statements about modernization of US missile defense system THAAD in strike complexes

25

There is information about the modernization of the US missile defense installations deployed in South Korea in shock, but the South Korean military refutes this.

What is really happening?



Events at the base in Songju: modernization or an ordinary process?


According to The Korea Times, the United States delivered new THAAD missile defense systems to the Republic of Korea and deployed them at Songju's military base in Gyeongsangbuk-do province. The THAAD delivery operation was carried out in an atmosphere of strict secrecy on the night of May 28 to 29, 2020, under the protection of the US and South Korean military.

Such measures were needed in order to minimize the likelihood of protests by the South Korean public. Indeed, in both Japan and the Republic of Korea, a fairly large part of the population strongly opposes the deployment of new US military facilities and weapons. The fears of the Japanese and Koreans are understandable: bases with US missile systems in the event of a large-scale conflict with the PRC, Russia or the DPRK will become targets for enemy missile attacks.

However, even strict secrecy did not prevent mass protests. A large number of local residents gathered at the American base, trying to stop the transportation of equipment. The authorities had to send more than 3 thousand police officers to the area, who managed to push the protesters back.

Meanwhile, in Korea, they are discussing the possible modernization of the missile systems deployed in Korea with the aim of turning them into shock and not defense ones. Technical possibilities exist for this, therefore, the United States, they say, under the guise of repair work can target strike missile systems to neighboring countries of the Republic of Korea.


South Korean police guard THAAD


The US Command in Korea (USFK) said the operation was completely ordinary. It provided for "the replacement of generators, electronic equipment, as well as a series of repair work in residential premises for the personnel of the military base in Sonju."

Representatives of the South Korean military department hastened to refute unverified information by the media. They stated that the transfer of military equipment and equipment to the base in Sonju has nothing to do with the modernization of the THAAD missile defense systems.

American THAAD in South Korea - a threat to China and Russia


Meanwhile, the initial appearance of the American THAAD complexes in South Korea is very interesting. They were first transferred to the base in Songju three years ago, in 2017, without the knowledge of President Moon Jae In. South Korean Defense Minister Han Min Gu deliberately did not report to the head of state about the transfer of THAAD to the country. The fact is that the decision was made back in 2016 by the previous president Park Geun-hye. Seoul and Washington then explained the need for a THAAD defense against a possible missile strike from North Korea.

The deployment of THAAD complexes in South Korea is very worrying for China. In Beijing, it is not unreasonably believed that US missile defense systems undermine the existing military-political balance in the region. In addition, the Chinese side has no guarantees that the Americans secretly will not turn the complexes into drums in order to control not so much the DPRK, but the territory of China itself.

The placement of THAAD in Songju at one time led to serious cooling in relations between Beijing and Seoul. Therefore, if media information is now confirmed that the American side is indeed really modernizing its facilities at the South Korean base, a new negative reaction from China is inevitable.

As for Russia, for our country in the presence of American missile defense systems in South Korea there is nothing good. From the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Far East - a stone's throw, and it is clear that Washington considers not the DPRK as real probable opponents in the region, but namely China and Russia.

But so far, there is no evidence that the US is really modernizing THAAD for use as a shock weaponsWashington and Seoul have nothing to show: the whole world is aware of the unpredictability of the DPRK’s position regarding the development of its missile weapons.

In any case, the presence of American THAAD in Songja creates concerns about South Korea being pulled into the global missile defense system being built by the United States, and whether or not it will be rebuilt into an attack system is a matter of specific situation and time.
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25 comments
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  1. +1
    1 June 2020 13: 57
    Washington and Seoul have nothing to show: the whole world is aware of the unpredictability of the DPRK’s position regarding the development of its missile weapons.

    But the mattresses are predictable ..... so there are few options .....
    1. +5
      1 June 2020 14: 44
      All democracy begins and ends where the desires of the United States begin.
      And the opinion of the natives they are not interested
      1. +4
        1 June 2020 14: 49
        what impressed me even more so here it is ....
        They were first transferred to the base in Songju three years ago, in 2017, without the knowledge of President Moon Jae In. South Korean Defense Minister Han Min Gu deliberately did not report to the head of state about the transfer of THAAD to the country.

        Finally, the offset .....
        1. +2
          1 June 2020 17: 59
          I do not even doubt that in the current political and economic situation in the world, according to Washington / Pentagon, the re-equipment of the American THAADs in Songju in South Korea from the global missile defense system PROXY - "defense" of the United States into a strike system - has already begun.

          The suspicions of Koreans are definitely not unfounded!
          1. 0
            1 June 2020 18: 01
            Tatyana hi love
            as I said earlier, mattresses are too predictable ....
  2. 0
    1 June 2020 14: 00
    It turns out that if the Yankees defend themselves, the Yankees are slowed down, you need to have a lot of everything, i.e. various sound arguments.
    This is long and specifically understandable.
    Just draw a target on your forehead, and then sit and rejoice, not everyone wants it! However, there are such ... if sho, sho will be lined up?
  3. 0
    1 June 2020 14: 04
    And what should it shoot? The THAAD missile is not very large, it will not be easy to push a powerful warhead into it.
  4. +1
    1 June 2020 14: 11
    The United States Force Korea (USFK) said the operation was completely trivial. It provided for the "replacement of generators, electronic equipment, as well as a number of repair works in the living quarters for the personnel of the military base in Songju.

    Yes, yes, it was! Especially Colin Powell's test tube, strongly inspiring to believe the American command
  5. +1
    1 June 2020 14: 20
    When refuted formally undeclared events, it always turns out that the announcement is simply delayed.
    1. +1
      1 June 2020 14: 49
      And WHAT prevented the completion of the complexes in the United States before installing them on a South Korean base.?
  6. 0
    1 June 2020 14: 33
    , even strict secrecy did not prevent mass protests. A large number of local residents gathered at the American base, trying to stop the transportation of equipment.
    The level of secrecy is truly amazing
  7. -1
    1 June 2020 15: 03
    There is no smoke without fire
  8. 0
    1 June 2020 15: 27
    "South Korean Defense Minister Han Min Gu deliberately did not report to the head of state about the transfer of THAAD to the country."

    Where does this infa come from? the head of state did not know, but do you know? Then who are you?
  9. 0
    1 June 2020 15: 31
    Quote: rocket757
    It turns out that if the Yankees defend themselves, the Yankees are slowed down, you need to have a lot of everything, i.e. various sound arguments.
    This is long and specifically understandable.
    Just draw a target on your forehead, and then sit and rejoice, not everyone wants it! However, there are such ... if sho, sho will be lined up?

    How shaw? The standard cry of surprise ...
    "... and us, why? ..."
  10. 5-9
    0
    1 June 2020 15: 58
    How can a ballistic missile be made of them - and most importantly why ??? BR MD no chtol ????
    No, I understand that during the plans for the placement of GBI in Poland, this topic was discussed, because this is Minuteman-2 without the first step, but they can be redone ... figs ... and then ...
    1. +1
      1 June 2020 16: 10
      Quote: 5-9
      How can a ballistic missile be made of them - and most importantly why ??? BR MD no chtol ????
      No, I understand that during the plans for the placement of GBI in Poland, this topic was discussed, because this is Minuteman-2 without the first step, but they can be redone ... figs ... and then ...

      And who said that ballistic? And, let it be known to you, air defense systems can strike at ground targets.
      1. 5-9
        0
        2 June 2020 08: 04
        They can, only the effectiveness of this ... and not with the OF, but with the kinetic interceptor - generally zero
  11. 0
    1 June 2020 16: 00
    A large number of local residents gathered at the American base, trying to stop the transportation of equipment.

    And in Poland and Romania, for example, "many local residents" will gather to convey their "defenders" in their arms.
  12. -3
    1 June 2020 16: 44
    Who else would explain how a missile defense complex for transatmospheric interception without explosives in a small rocket can be turned into an attack?
    I do not understand.....
    1. -1
      1 June 2020 17: 04
      Quote: Avior
      Who else would explain how a missile defense complex for transatmospheric interception without explosives in a small rocket can be turned into an attack?
      I do not understand.....


      As well as the air defense system
      1. -2
        1 June 2020 17: 05
        The air defense system has a warhead, but this system does not.
        So how?
        1. 0
          1 June 2020 17: 16
          Since when did delivering warheads become a problem ???
          1. 0
            1 June 2020 18: 05
            No problem.
            You will also need to replace the rocket itself, the launch pad and completely remove the radar and everything else for shock missiles is useless, and the rocket costs millions if you develop a warhead weighing 50 kilograms for it, of which the maximum explosive weight is 16-20 kilograms, that's not a ballistic missile, a control system is still needed, at the same time having spent another 100-200 million non-Nigerian bucks on a new development and testing a missile with a new warhead, and it will be possible to shoot at wooden dugouts, of course, but very expensive.
            So it’s better to immediately deliver MLRS with guided projectiles, it will come out much better, and many times cheaper, or the usual relatively inexpensive OTP.
            And instead of using an ultra-expensive missile defense complex with fabulously priced missiles of atmospheric interception, it’s like hammering nails with a microscope.
            1. 0
              1 June 2020 18: 56
              I don’t think anyone will argue that specialized systems cope with the task of hitting ground targets better, but I don’t even want to comment on those here, I’m talking about Thomas, and you are talking about Yerema.
  13. 0
    2 June 2020 11: 21
    During the Caribbean Crisis, Mace launched a combat launch order for Korea on cruise missiles in Japan. The operator stopped the start, feeling that it was a mistake.

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