DPK calls for Assembly ratification of THAAD

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is pressuring the government to seek National Assembly approval for the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.

It launched a special committee for the move Friday, signaling that it will step up protests against the U.S. anti-missile system ahead of the May 9 presidential election.

The committee will request a meeting with Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, Monday, to demand the govern- ment halt the deployment until it gets parliamentary ratification, said Rep. Kim Young-ho.

“We will urge Hwang to stop installing the THAAD battery promptly and get the Assembly’s consent first,” he said.

While the government says it has the sole authority to decide on THAAD deployment, the DPK claims it is an issue requiring the Assembly’s ratification because it involves providing land worth over 100 billion won to the U.S. Forces Korea.

“According to the Constitution, treaties involving national security or deals that put financial pressure on the country should undergo Assembly ratification,” Rep. Shim Jae-kwon, head of the committee, said.

“Under the Status of Forces Agreement, provision of land requires ratification.”

Party Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae said earlier that the party is considering asking the Constitutional Court to decide whether the government infringed on the Assembly’s authority by pushing ahead with the deployment.

Along with the legal action, the party can also apply for an injunction, and if the court recognizes it, the deployment of the THAAD battery could be halted until the court makes a final ruling. The first elements of the system, including two launchers, arrived in Korea last week and military officials say it can be operational as early as April.

The DPK is encouraging other parties — the People’s Party and the Justice Party — to join them in appealing to the court.

The party and its leading presidential hopeful Moon Jae-in have claimed that the THAAD deployment issue should be handed over to the next government so it can seek a public consensus and go through diplomatic consultations with neighboring countries.

They question whether it is worth risking economic relations with China whose retaliatory measures against Korean businesses are already dimming the prospect of economic growth.

The government, led by Acting President Hwang, rather accelerated the process of deployment, saying it was necessary to counter North Korea’s increasing missile and nuclear threats.

The DPK views that the move was made so as not to allow any room for the next government to alter the plan.

“Hwang should just focus on managing the presidential election and stabilizing the livelihood of the people for his remaining term,” Shim said.