Lee Junseok Asks "Do You Still Claim THAAD Is for U.S. Defense?" vs Lee Jaemyung Says "No Need to Fuel Controversy"

Lee Junseok: "Accepting Arguments from China and Conspiracy Theorists"
Lee Jaemyung: "South Korea Should Have Its Own Independent Defense System"

On May 27, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, questioned Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, about whether he still maintains his previous stance that the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was for the defense of the United States. In response, Lee Jaemyung said, "Since the deployment has already been completed, it is not right to further fuel controversy over this issue."

During the third presidential debate for the 21st presidential election, held at the MBC Sangam Media Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul on May 27, Lee Junseok stated, "Candidate Lee Jaemyung previously said, 'THAAD is for the defense of the United States,'" and added, "It seems you do not understand the THAAD weapon system. THAAD is a system that intercepts missiles at the terminal phase."

He continued, "Candidate Lee Jaemyung accepted arguments commonly made in China or by conspiracy theorists, claiming that THAAD is for the defense of the United States," and added, "If you spread slander based on incorrect information, the United States would see you as someone who distorts everything, regardless of the facts. Do you still maintain the position that THAAD is for the defense of the United States?"

Lee Jaemyung responded, "It is appropriate for South Korea to defend itself with its own independent missile defense system," and said, "There was a lot of controversy at the time, but since the deployment has already been completed, it is not desirable to further fuel controversy over this issue from the perspective of South Korea's diplomatic and security strategy."

During the televised debate for the 20th presidential election in 2022, Lee Jaemyung stated that "there is a strong perception that THAAD was installed in South Korea as part of the U.S. Missile Defense (MD) system to keep China in check, so instead of THAAD, 'L-SAM' should be used to intercept North Korea's offensive missiles."

Lee Jaemyung particularly explained, "If we look back at the past, there was a realistic debate at that time about whether North Korea would actually launch high-altitude missiles and whether THAAD was necessary."

In response, Lee Junseok said, "When you ask Candidate Lee Jaemyung a question, he answers everything except what was asked," and added, "It seems he has not withdrawn his position. I hope voters will consider whether someone who spreads false information can lead South Korea-U.S. relations."

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