Closer talks can resolve THAAD issue

Solving THAAD problem will take a long time

The deployment of THAAD in the ROK is a hard-to-remove wedge in Beijing-Seoul relations. China has firmly opposed the deployment of THAAD right from the beginning because the system could harm its national security interests, by restraining its defense power. But it is hard for ROK President Moon Jaein to repeal the agreement to deploy THAAD because of Washington’s pressure on Seoul and the shadow of potential conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States.

In fact, the solution to the Beijing-Seoul deadlock over THAAD depends on the US and its Asia-Pacific strategy, as well as on China-US relations. The US installed the THAAD system to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific and guard against a possible DPRK attack on the ROK, and US military sites in that country.

So, despite attaching great importance to cooperation, Beijing and Seoul cannot find a solution to the THAAD problem in the short term. To solve the problem, China needs to seek common grounds with both the ROK and the US, including promoting the peace process on the Korean Peninsula and deepening communication in other fields based on cooperation.

With ROK and DPRK agreeing to hold talks (on April 27), and the breaking of ice in USDPRK relations, THAAD became an issue of lesser importance for both Washington and Seoul. But now President Moon has the opportunity to slow down THAAD’s deployment, which has drawn criticism from home and abroad alike ever since former ROK president Park Geun-hye agreed to install it. Shen Haitao, a professor at Northeast Asian Studies College, Jilin University

No big development in the short term

Even though China has been strongly opposing the installation of THAAD, the ROK is not likely to completely remove the anti-missile system. But the THAAD deployment process will not proceed easily either. The resistance of the ROK people, particularly Seongju residents, to THAAD has become the biggest problem for the ROK government. The Seongju residents are worried that the system would damage the environment and raise the risk of war. The talks between the ROK Defense Ministry and the resident-protesters broke down on April 11 delaying the construction work. The fact is that not only ROK citizens but also members of the international community have criticized Seoul for THAAD’s deployment.

THAAD has also compromised the DPRK’s national security. In agreeing to install THAAD, Park Geun-hye ignored the people’s will. And since Moon won the people’s support by doubting the legitimacy of THAAD, he should take measures to at least delay THAAD’s deployment.

Seoul and Beijing should work together to delay, if not stop, the deployment of THAAD for mutual interest and, more importantly, for restoring peace on the peninsula. Besides, the Moon administration should try to honor the decision of the National Assembly that ROKDPRK talks be made regular to raise the chances of slowing down THAAD’s deployment. Wu Jingjing, an associate researcher in Asia-Pacific studies at the China Institute of International Studies

Economic loss has limited impact

Wu Jingjing

Shen Haitao