Enhanced defenses: U.S. sends more Patriot missiles to South Korea
US News
Enhanced defenses: U.S. sends more Patriot missiles to South Korea
The United States has temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea in response to North Korea’s nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch. That’s in addition to plans next week for the South and U.S. to set up an even more sophisticated, high-altitude missile defense system in a move that has worried China and Russia. The new tough stance follows South Korea’s decision to shut down an inter-Korean factory park that had been the rival Koreas’ last major symbol of cooperation, but that Seoul said had been used by North Korea to fund its nuclear and missile programs.
This deployment is part of an emergency deployment readiness exercise conducted in response to recent North Korean provocations.
U.S. Army statement
China and Russia argue that it would trigger an arms race in the region, with Beijing voicing its “deep concern” over the deployment. South Korea had previously declined to formally discuss bringing in the missile defense system in deference to the sensitivities of China, its most important trade partner. But North Korea’s continued missile testing and frustration with Beijing’s resistance to imposing harsh sanctions on Pyongyang apparently triggered a change in Seoul’s stance.
