[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] US THAAD Launcher Additional Deployment Moves... Location Revealed (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The United States appears to be planning to deploy additional launchers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. The U.S. is currently undertaking an upgrade project to convert the launchers and batteries, which are connected by wired links, to wireless connections and integrate them with the existing Patriot system. This means that the launchers at the Seongju base could be relocated to a new base or additional launchers could be brought in and linked with the batteries at the Seongju base.

John Hill, Director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy), said during the U.S. Department of Defense’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget briefing on the 10th (local time), "If the THAAD launchers and batteries can be separated, it will provide a lot of flexibility on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "The batteries can be placed further back, the radar can be moved back, and the launchers can be placed in front or additional launchers can be brought in."

Choi Hyun-soo, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, responded to questions about the U.S. revealing its THAAD upgrade plan at a press briefing that day, saying, "We have heard explanations from the U.S. about upgrades and performance improvements," but added, "We cannot discuss the details specifically."

Spokesperson Choi emphasized, "The U.S. has indicated that the performance upgrade is a long-term plan, but there is a time lag before it materializes," and "We understand that the Seongju issue is being upgraded now, but we do not yet know the specifics beyond that."

If the U.S. adds THAAD launchers, locations such as Chilgok in North Gyeongsang Province, Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Busan, Eumseong in North Chungcheong Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province, and Gunsan in North Jeolla Province, which were considered during the completion of the Seongju base, are likely candidates.

At the time of THAAD introduction, Chilgok in North Gyeongsang Province was the most likely candidate site. Chilgok is an area where U.S. strategic materials are stockpiled, making protection necessary due to the significant possibility of enemy Scud missile attacks. It is located outside the range of North Korean long-range artillery and has the advantage of relatively fewer residents.

Pyeongtaek, home to a large U.S. military base in South Korea, is also a possibility. However, while Pyeongtaek can defend the Seoul metropolitan area, it is within the range of North Korea’s latest 300mm multiple rocket launchers, which have a maximum range of 200 km, which is a weakness. Wonju is advantageous for defending the metropolitan area but is considered less likely due to the potential concentration of North Korean rocket attacks.

Additionally, Eumseong in North Chungcheong Province, where the Army Missile Command is located, is considered a candidate for THAAD deployment, but the absence of a U.S. military base there is noted. Busan’s Gijang area is a strategic point where U.S. reinforcements would arrive in an emergency, making protection necessary, but controversy is expected due to its densely populated area.

Kim Dae-young, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Strategy, said, "Once the U.S. completes the THAAD performance upgrade, it can introduce additional launchers in cities to defend U.S. forces in South Korea," adding, "If THAAD costs are included in the defense cost-sharing, there is justification within the U.S., so additional deployments will likely accelerate."

Meanwhile, the U.S. has stated that it has allocated $49 million (approximately 58 billion KRW) in next year’s defense budget for construction costs related to the THAAD unit deployed in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and has discussed the possibility of cost-sharing with the South Korean government. Until now, it has been known that the U.S. bears the cost of THAAD deployment. Accordingly, if the U.S. requests cost-sharing from South Korea through the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations, controversy may arise.

Regarding this, Spokesperson Choi said, "There have been no specific negotiations regarding construction costs yet, and after the environmental impact assessment of the THAAD base is completed, close consultations between South Korea and the U.S. will take place," adding, "We are discussing what to evaluate in relation to the environmental impact assessment and are proceeding according to procedures."

Additionally, through a text message sent to defense correspondents, the Ministry of National Defense emphasized, "The reports by some media that 'THAAD launchers will be additionally deployed at one of Chilgok, Pyeongtaek, Busan, or Gunsan' are not true," and "Any additional measures regarding the U.S. Forces Korea THAAD system in Seongju must proceed through prior consultations between South Korea and the U.S."