US and South Korea agree THAAD missile defence deployment

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36742751

US and South Korea agree THAAD missile defence deployment

31 minutes ago

From the section Asia

The US and South Korea have agreed to deploy a controversial missile defence system, in the wake of intensifying threats from North Korea. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system will be deployed solely to counter the threat from Pyongyang, a statement said. It is unclear exactly where it will be sited and who will have final control.

China, which has consistently opposed the plan, lodged a protest with the US and South Korean envoys. China's foreign ministry said that the THAAD system will harm peace and stability in the region, despite its ability to detect and shoot down North Korean missiles.
"China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute objection to this", it said in a statement on its website.
(snip)

The BBC's Korea Correspondent Stephen Evans says that Beijing fears the system's radars would be able to see far into its territory. China, the North's closest ally, supported the most recent UN sanctions after North Korean nuclear and missile tests.

Discussions between the two countries began in February after North Korea fired a long-range missile. "South Korea and the US have made the joint decision to deploy the THAAD system as part of a defensive action to guarantee the security of the Republic of Korea," South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Friday. It will be deployed "as soon as possible."
(snip)