Anti-THAAD lawmakers of South Korean ruling party cast doubts on operability
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party lawmakers opposed to the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on Monday cast doubts on its missile interception capability on the Korean Peninsula.
The Democratic Party’s special panel to draw up countermeasures to the US missile shield deployment, composed of anti-THAAD members, held a public hearing in the National Assembly building, blatantly raising doubts on the operability and effectiveness of the US weapons.
Rep. Shim Jae-kwon, who leads the anti-THAAD panel, said THAAD in South Korea would be incapable of defending the capital Seoul and its surrounding areas from North Korea’s missile attacks.
The three-term lawmaker said the US anti-missile system would be also incapable of protecting the new garrison of the US Forces Korea in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, and the southeastern port city of Busan, to which the US reinforcements are believed to be dispatched in time of armed conflict.
He noted that THAAD in South Korea could only intercept missiles flying toward the areas near Seongju county at an altitude of 40-150 kilometers.
THAAD is designed to shoot down missiles at an altitude of 40-150 kilometers. Most North Korean missiles taking aim at South Korea fly at an altitude of less than 40 kilometers.
THAAD interceptors are unable to defend the capital Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan areas, which are home to about half of the country’s 50 million population, as they have a maximum interception range of around 200 kilometers.
The THAAD battery, deployed in Seongju county, North Gyeongsang province, is located over 300 kilometers southeast of the capital city.
The remaining THAAD launchers and other elements were transported to the US military base at the county earlier this month after violent dispersion of anti-THAAD protest rallies by residents and peace activists.
Rep. Shin Dong-keun of the Democratic Party said THAAD will be operated in a way that a bullet should intercept another bullet, stressing that if interceptors fall short of destroying incoming missiles and just alter the direction of missiles, it would fall inside the South Korean territory.
Rep. Lee Hoon said THAAD launchers in South Korea could only defend from 48 North Korean missiles, even assuming that THAAD has a 100-percent interception capability.
A THAAD battery is comprised of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, the AN/TPY-2 radar and the fire and control unit.
Lee urged the defense ministry to conduct simulation tests to make known to the public THAAD’s interception capability under situations that North Korea fires ballistic missiles at a normal angle.
Rep. Sul Hoon of the ruling party said THAAD was installed in South Korea for political reasons, rather than military purposes, to consider relations with the US, noting that THAAD’s military effectiveness would be very poor.