The Hill, Feb 9, 2016– The Pentagon said Monday that talks with South Korea to discuss the possibility of moving a terminal high-altitude area defense, or THAAD system, would begin in “days.”
“The goal of the formal consultations is to bilaterally explore the feasibility of THAAD deploying to and operating on the Korean Peninsula at the earliest possible date,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said at a briefing.
“THAAD would add an important capability in a layered and effective missile defense,” he said.
Cook said the Pentagon would like to see the talks “move as quickly as possible.”
The formal talks come after North Korea launched a missile into space on Saturday in violation of international law. North Korea said it launched a satellite for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. and allies say it was a ballistic missile test that threatens the U.S. and ally South Korea.
Lawmakers over the weekend condemned the test, called for new sanctions on North Korea, and welcomed news of the talks on THAAD.
“I am very encouraged by the joint U.S.-Republic of Korea statement that our two countries will begin the process of consultation for deploying the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to the Korean Peninsula,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.). “The deployment of this system by the alliance is a critical step to providing a further layer of defenses against North Korean provocations.”