[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The Ministry of National Defense and the United States Forces Korea conducted a midnight "surprise" transport operation to bring equipment into the high-altitude missile defense system (THAAD) base in Seongju, Gyeongbuk.
On the 29th, the Ministry of National Defense supported the land transport for the replacement equipment at the Seongju base by the US Forces Korea from the previous night until the morning of the same day, and it is known that the operation was completed around 6 a.m.
The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the operation was carried out as safely as possible considering the surrounding conditions, stating, "It was to improve the working conditions of the ROK-US soldiers stationed at the Seongju base and to replace some aging equipment."
The equipment brought in that day is known to include aging equipment such as generators and new parts for interceptor missiles. Accordingly, there is also analysis suggesting that this was a preparatory work to accelerate the formal deployment of THAAD in anticipation of the completion of environmental assessments.
Previously, when the US Forces Korea deployed radar and two missile launchers at the Seongju base in March 2017, the government conducted a small-scale environmental impact assessment. However, in July of the same year, after the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, the Ministry of National Defense officially decided to conduct a general environmental impact assessment instead of a small-scale one, following instructions from the Blue House. Currently, the Ministry of National Defense is conducting the assessment together with the Ministry of Environment, and based on the results, it plans to make a final decision on the deployment of related equipment, including six THAAD launchers temporarily deployed and operational.
In particular, this transport operation took place amid escalating tensions between the US and China over issues such as the Hong Kong National Security Law, raising concerns that diplomatic relations between South Korea and China might deteriorate. Additionally, the improvement construction of the soldiers' quarters (former golf course clubhouse) within the THAAD base has been ongoing since August last year.
However, to minimize friction with residents opposing the THAAD base construction, equipment and materials had been transported by helicopter until now. The Ministry of National Defense explained that this time, some equipment was too large, making land transport unavoidable.
The Ministry of National Defense reportedly held several consultations with residents regarding this but failed to reach an agreement.
Nonetheless, the land transport operation, which had been postponed repeatedly, was carried out as a midnight "surprise" operation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to spark controversy.
A Ministry of National Defense official said, "Considering various situations such as COVID-19, the operation was conducted at night," adding, "Given the condition of the facilities where soldiers live, the timing could no longer be delayed."
From the previous day, hundreds of police officers were deployed around the THAAD base, and vehicle movements were detected, leading some residents opposing the THAAD base to gather and hold an overnight sit-in protest. The military authorities, with police support, secured the passage, emphasizing that there was no major friction with residents during the process.
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