Public opposition to the deployment of US THAAD missile defense systems near a South Korean farming village has grown into major protests, with demonstrators coming out in force after the announcement the government was letting the US install four additional launchers.
The THAAD are installed at a former golf course, and in an area that was historically very pro-military, because the previous government expected them to support the deployment. Instead, locals were opposed to the move, fearing the US presence would make them targets in the event of war.
President Moon came into office rejecting the THAAD deployments, but amid pressure to act tough against North Korea has endorsed more deployments. Police came out in mass to try to contend with the protesters, reporting that “thousands of officers” were dispatched.
Crackdowns on the demonstrators led to at least 38 injuries, including six police. Officials say they are determined to keep the site clear of protesters to allow the US to quickly install the additional launchers.
The South Koreans are beginning to figure out that the US might get them all killed. Perhaps NOT holding those belligerent provoking stupid unnecessary war games every year might help defuse the situation a bit, one might think….if you have any common sense.
Why do you need war games when everybody knows there are submarines with nuclear warheads within striking distance of NK? There are aircraft carriers with planes and cruise missles within striking distance. What exactly needs to be rehearsed?? If NK actually attacked anybody NK would become an ashtray. You think NK and everybody else does not know this?
The North Korean regime may be a lot of really bad things, and I would not want to live there, but their paranoia is not exactly unjustified. They may be paranoid but they are not suicidal. But they are really good poker players calling Trumps bluff and showing the world that all this talk about fire and fury is just that…all talk.
Both sides are completely unreasonable and at an impass both both sides will never throw the first actual punch (not a test but a punch).
Also if NK were to cease ‘testing’ nuclear weapons, as we insist they cease doing, …does that mean they cease building, and possessing nuclear weapons? How many nuclear weapons is Israel believed to be in possession of? When was the last ‘test’ you ever heard about them doing?
Would it make us feel better if they ceased testing? It’s all bulls–t!!
Ally of the US = hostage of the US. And Trump as well as Raimondo
demand the hostages pay for it and denounce them as a'”freeriders”. Chutzpah. Is it not enough to provide the battlefield, the cannonfodder and the victims of “collateral” damage?
Moon was elected largely on his opposition to these dangerous installations, which DO, of course, make S Korea a target. Trump needs to “butt out” and let the DPRK and S Korea have the talks they need to overcome the US-led “exercises” taking place to provoke Kim Jung Un.
Exactly. As you said, rosemerry, Moon Jae-in was elected largely on his opposition to these dangerous installations which, DO, of course, make S. Korea a target. Trump needs to “butt out” and let the DPRK and S. Korea conduct the talks they need to overcome the US-led “exercises” taking place to provoke Kim Jong-un.
Kick out all US troops and their inefficient THAAD systems with them. Once that’s accomplished, then the talks between Moon and Kim can begin, with no interference from the US.