The United States and South Korea started official discussions about deploying Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on February 2 because of missile tests in North Korea on the same day.



There has been increasing concern in the international community about North Korea’s nuclear tests and long range missile launch. Adding a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to its missile defenses would provide a greater ability to defend South Korea against a North Korea nuclear missile attack. We must demonstrate to North Korea that its reckless actions will have serious consequences. Therefore, I agree to a THAAD system deployment in South Korea.

First, Despite South Korea’s effort in giving aids to North Korea for 10 years, it has conducted nuclear weapon tests and threatened South Korea and the international community. As North Korea’s continued risky behavior can escalate the possibility of military actions, THAAD can help warn North Korea about its incessant provocations and defend South Korea against a missile attack.

Second, THAAD is a purely defensive system, and a necessary means of protecting against the North Korean missile threat. North Korea conducted its nuclear test, and satellite imagery suggests Pyongyang might be getting ready to follow that up with a ballistic missile launch. That once again drives home the importance for South Korea to have a missile defense system. Some people say that THAAD can only prevent long range missiles, so we don’t need it because the North and South are very close. They want to introduce Patriot Missiles in South Korea instead of THAAD, but they are not enough to defend South Korea.

In South Korea, a THAAD system deployment will have a strong influence on North Korea and other countries. To have a balance between the North and South, North Korea must make drastic changes and work towards co-existence and peaceful reunification. I hope that the recent nuclear test will be a turning point for peace. The THAAD systems will help ensure that balance.

●Opinion from the readers

-Hong Ye-rim (Department of Statistics, Chungbuk National University)
Supposing a THAAD system deploys in South Korea, it will intercept North Korea’s Missile so the North’s provocative actions will decrease. Although THAAD is not 100 percent interception, has the great effect of reducing the North’s provocative actions. I agree to a THAAD system.

-Kim Gyeong-bo (Department of Statistics, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies)
If you don’t have THAAD, South Koreans will shake with anxiety. Also, according to the USA, if we don’t have THAAD, we can’t stop the North’s missiles. So I agree to a THAAD system deployment.




The United States and South Korea started official discussions about deploying Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on February 2 because of missile tests in North Korea on the same day. The deployment of THAAD to South Korea is a controversial issue for the security of South Korea. However, I am against the THAAD deployment for two reasons.

First, THAAD is not for defense against the threat of North Korea’s missiles. THAAD intercepts ballistic missiles which have a range of over 1000 km, but most North Korea missiles have a range of less than 500 km. THAAD will make South Korea’s diplomatic relationship with China uncomfortable. China already showed discomfort about the deployment of THAAD in South Korea. South Korea has to cooperate with China to restrain North Korea. Making a hostile relationship with China will be a burden to national security and the economy. It is also contrary to the Northeast Asia Peace Treaty concluded by the Park Geun-hye government.

Next, THAAD has a high cost. A single THAAD unit is 1.6 billion dollars. South Korea has also bought Patriot-2, which is an interceptor missile, from the USA for 400 million dollars. However, the Korean army has used the Patriot-2 only two times. Therefore, THAAD is inefficient economically.

In conclusion, the deployment of THAAD to South Korea cannot resolve the threat from North Korea. South Korea and the USA have to concentrate on diplomacy with surrounding countries such as China to restrict North Korea, as opposed to promoting an arms race with other countries.

●Opinion from Readers

-Kim Gyu-seok (Department of Philosophy and Ethics)
I think we have to consider THAAD more carefully. The deployment of THAAD is not only related to the security problem of South Korea but also Northeast Asia. We have to concentrate on the diplomatic relationship with China. South Korea has a big reliance on China’s economy. However, the more important thing is South Korea needs cooperation from China to restrict North Korea. Therefore, the deployment of THAAD needs more careful discussion.

-Lucia Clifford (The City College of New York, USA)
In my opinion, the deployment of THAAD will make the security of South Korea worse. If South Korea and the USA want to restrict North Korea, they have to concentrate on cooperation with China.