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POLITICS - Turkey knows everything about Syrian's 700 missiles, foreign minister says“The protection from NATO will be three dimensional; one is the short-range Patriots, the second is the middle-range Terminal High Altitude Air Defense [THAD] system and the last is the AEGIS system, which counters missiles that can reach outside the atmosphere.” With this integrated system, Turkey will have maximum protection, he said.
The report, to be released Thursday by the Union of Concerned Scientists, recommends that the Obama administration halt the expansion of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, known as GMD, until its technical problems have been solved. "The story of this system is a cautionary tale about how the lack of appropriate oversight of a politically charged missile defense program has led to a system in tatters," said the report, written by three physicists with expertise in missile defense. "Despite more than a decade of development and a bill of $40 billion, the GMD system is simply unable to protect the U.S. public," the authors wrote.
The GMD system is intended to thwart a "limited" nuclear strike by a non-superpower adversary, such as North Korea or Iran. In the event of an attack, rocket interceptors at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County in California and Ft. Greely, Alaska, would be launched from underground silos. Once in space, the interceptors would separate from their booster rockets and attempt to slam into and "kill" enemy warheads. The report notes that in "heavily scripted" flight tests that are "set up for success," GMD interceptors have often failed to hit mock enemy warheads. In the seven most recent tests, interceptors destroyed their targets just three times, the report says -- a finding consistent with conclusions of the Pentagon's operational test and evaluation office. Personnel conducting the tests know the speed, location and trajectory of the target ahead of time, as well as when it will be launched -- information they would not have in a real attack.
The Ground-Based Missile Defense System hit a simulated enemy missile over the Pacific in the first successful intercept test of the program since 2008, the Defense Department said.
The report relies extensively on articles published over the last two years by the Los Angeles Times, along with a National Academy of Sciences report and the findings of federal auditors and the Pentagon test office. The report said members of Congress and Pentagon officials insisted on deploying and expanding the system at a rapid pace -- at the expense of sound procurement and engineering. "Repeatedly," the report said, "the Pentagon has sacrificed quality, shortened engineering cycles and sidestepped acquisitions best practices to meet a deadline imposed by political rationales rather than technical realities." Pentagon officials have also made "unsubstantiated claims about the system's effectiveness," the report says, calling this "both cynical and a disservice to the public."
The finding dovetails with a July 6 Times article about a GMD flight test held in January. The Times revealed that a crucial component stopped working during the test, causing an interceptor to fly far off course. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency and two of its lead contractors nevertheless issued news releases that pronounced the test a success, with no mention of the malfunction. Asked for comment on the report, agency spokesman Chris Johnson said the National Missile Defense Act of 1999 called for deploying an effective system "as soon as was technologically possible." He added: "This rapid deployment was a driving factor in delivering a ground-based interceptor capability with reliability challenges." The agency is trying to make the system more reliable while staying "on track" to expand the fleet of interceptors, Johnson said.
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Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said he believes South Korea is firmly committed to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD system. He told a congressional hearing the system is purely defensive and is not aimed at China but at North Korea. The plans have complicated South Korea's efforts to foster warmer ties with China, which traditionally has had closer ties with North Korea, and have added to tensions between Washington and Beijing as well. Beijing says the system's radar could reach into Chinese territory.
Seoul and Washington began formal talks on THAAD earlier this year. Russel did not specify when the deployment would happen, but said "given the accelerated pace of North Korea's missile tests, we intend to deploy on an accelerated basis, I would say, as soon as possible." North Korea has conducted two nuclear test explosions this year, and the latest one, on Sept. 9, was its largest to date, deepening worries that it is honing a capability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead. It has also conducted 22 ballistic missile test launches this year, the U.S. says. Tuesday's hearing of a House panel overseeing foreign policy toward Asia examined the state of cooperation South Korea and Japan — close U.S. allies that face a mutual threat from neighboring North Korea but sharp historical differences. Lawmakers welcomed signs of improved relations between them.
But Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama said that the U.S. is heavily burdened by debt, and pressed Russel on whether a reduction in the billions that it spends on defending Japan and South Korea might compel them to be more self-sufficient and spend more on their own defense. Russel conceded "it might have that effect," but argued it would have a very destructive impact on regional stability and would open the door to China asserting itself more. The U.S. has a total of nearly 80,000 troops based in Japan and South Korea, the backbone of its military presence in Asia. The Obama administration has sought to strengthen these and other alliances, in part to counter the rise of China in a region of growing economic importance.
US Looks to Accelerate Deployment of South Korea Missile Defense | Military.com
South Korea’s military aims to deploy an advanced US missile defense unit on a golf course, a South Korean Ministry of National Defense official said yesterday, after it had to scrap its initial site for the battery in the face of opposition from residents. Tension on the Korean Peninsula has been high this year, beginning with North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January, which was followed by a satellite launch, a string of tests of various missiles and its fifth and largest nuclear test this month.
In July, Seoul agreed with Washington that the US’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system would be deployed in the Seongju region, southeast of the capital, to defend the country. However, residents of the melon farming area protested over worries about the safety of the system’s powerful radar and the likelihood it would be a target for North Korea, which warned of retaliation, if war broke out. The plan to deploy the system has also angered China, which worries that the THAAD’s powerful radar would compromise its security. The new site for the missile battery would be a golf course at the high-end Lotte Skyhill Seongju Country Club, the official told reporters, confirming media reports.
The golf course of Lotte Skyhill Seongju Country Club in Seongju, South Korea.
The club is owned by the Lotte Group conglomerate and had been considered as an alternative due to its high altitude and accessibility for military vehicles, the official said. It is not clear how the military will acquire the property, reportedly worth about 100 billion won (US$90.78 million). A spokesman for the Lotte Group declined to comment and an official at the country club did not have an immediate response. The US this week said that it would speed up deployment of the THAAD system given the pace of North Korea’s missile tests, and it would be stationed in South Korea “as soon as possible.”
On Thursday, China again warned against the deployment, saying it “means what it says” when it says it will consider countermeasures. The US and South Korea have said THAAD does not threaten China’s security or target any country other than North Korea. The military analyzed three possible locations for the system and found the golf course to be the most feasible, as the other two would require additional engineering that would delay the deployment, said the official, who declined to be identified, as he was not authorized to speak to media.
THAAD to be installed at S Korean golf club - Taipei Times
Tension on the Korean peninsula has been high this year, beginning with North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January, which was followed by a satellite launch, a string of tests of various missiles, and its fifth and largest nuclear test last month. In July, South Korea agreed with the United States to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to protect against any North Korean threats. South Korea aims to deploy the system on a golf course, a defense ministry official said on Friday.
But the plan has angered China, which worries that THAAD's powerful radar would compromise its security and do nothing to lower temperatures on the Korean peninsula. In a commentary, the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily said China's opposition to THAAD would never change as it was a serious threat to the regional strategic security balance. "Like any other country, China can neither be vague nor indifferent on security matters that affect its core interests," the newspaper said in the commentary, published under the pen name "Zhong Sheng", meaning "Voice of China", often used to give views on foreign policy.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency.
The United States and South Korea have to wake up to the fact that the Korean peninsula is no place to take risks, it added. "If the United States and South Korea harm the strategic security interests of countries in the region including China, then they are destined to pay the price for this and receive a proper counter attack," the paper added, without elaborating. China has repeatedly promised to take specific steps to respond since the THAAD decision was announced, but has given no details about what it may do.
On Thursday, the Defence Ministry said China "means what it says" on considering countermeasures against THAAD. The United States and South Korea have said THAAD does not threaten China's security or target any country other than North Korea. China is North Korea's most important diplomatic and economic partner, but Beijing has been infuriated by its nuclear and missile tests and has signed up for strong United Nations sanctions against North Korea. However, China has continued to call for talks to resolve the North Korean issue and said sanctions are not the ultimate solution.
China paper says U.S., South Korea will 'pay the price' for planned missile system
The announcement, while appeasing South Koreans, whom the anti-missile system would protect in the casualty of a nuclear attack from neighbour and long time rival, North Korea - managed to ruffle feathers elsewhere. The most violent reaction came from North Korea, that unleashed a barrage of missiles at regular intervals, for months after the announcement was made - to display its nuclear might. North Korea had even threatened to take physical counter action against the THAAD deployment and accused the South Korean President, Park Geun-hye of "offering the Korean peninsula to foreign forces as a theatre of a nuclear war." North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea had said in a statement that, “She unhesitatingly sold off the destiny and interests of the nation and undermined regional peace and stability.” Pyongyang had even fired back at Washington after the announcement of the deployment, warning that North Korea would instantly cut off all diplomatic channels with the U.S. if the sanctions were not lifted.
North Korea has managed to stun the world with his nuclear ambition and its recent progress has caused fears to grow across many Asian nations. North Korean provocations this year include two nuclear tests, one in January and the second one in October and the launch of 24 ballistic missiles. Between April 15 and October 20, North Korea test fired the Musudan missiles eight times, but only the launch on June 22 recorded success. The Musudan missile, with a design range of 1,500 to 2,500 miles, is believed to be capable of reaching South Korea, Japan and even the U.S. territory of Guam. The country has shown no willingness to engage in dialogue on the nuclear issue, and therefore, Washington’s diplomatic efforts have focused on engaging other nations to isolate North Korea and strictly implement the international sanctions.
Over the past year, Washington and Seoul have engaged in joint military drills, even as Pyongyang continues to advance its nuclear program. Further, the U.S., the U.K. and South Korea too are said to be preparing to launch trilateral drills to deter North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Speaking at a seminar in Seoul, U.S. Forces Korea USFK Commander General Vincent K. Brooks said that North Korea’s continued provocations are a “very direct threat” to South Korea, all of Northeast Asia and even the U.S. Commander General Brooks stressed on the need to further strengthen the alliance between Seoul and Washington. With the South Korean and U.S. forces on the peninsula facing the world’s fourth-largest conventional weapons military, north of the Military Demarcation Line, Brooks added, “This is why they jointly train and bolster the alliance every day so that they can respond to any provocative acts by the communist North.”
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China issued a strong warning to the United States and South Korea again regarding THAAD deployment on the Korean peninsula. The admonition from Beijing comes at a time when members of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team, including Trump's choice for national security adviser, Michael Flynn, are meeting with South Korean envoys. During a bilateral meeting Monday, Flynn said the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system was the right decision and serves as a symbol of the solidarity of the alliance, South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported.
On Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, "Regarding the THAAD issue, we are watching the position of the Trump side and the South Korean side," in response to the news of the recent bilateral meeting. In October, Chinese state media had questioned the legitimacy of South Korea's decision to deploy THAAD in the wake of the political scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye that has led to her impeachment.
Chinese Communist Party newspaper People's Daily had suggested at the time the crisis could mean Seoul's position on THAAD could change because of Park's fragile hold on power. Beijing is concerned the powerful THAAD radar would be used by the United States to monitor China. The technology has a surveillance capability that extends 620 miles.
On Thursday, Hua added, "China has expressed concern and clear opposition on the [THAAD] issue several times," and warned the deployment would do damage to the strategic and security interests of the region, including those of China. THAAD "would not help maintain the peace," Hua said. "We urge the process of THAAD deployment be stopped," Hua said, adding China would take necessary measures to safeguard its national security and interests.
China issues warning to U.S., South Korea on THAAD
China worries that the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system’s powerful radar can penetrate its territory and it has objected to its deployment. South Korea and the US say the missile system is aimed solely at countering any threat from North Korea. It is due to be deployed this year. “China is officially denying it, but we feel their actions are linked and that there have been indirect responses taken,” South Korean Minister of Finance Yoo Il-ho told a news conference on Thursday at the ministry’s headquarters in Sejong City, south of Seoul. “It’s hard to ask them what they’re up to when they have been denying it officially,” he added.
Yoo did not elaborate on what he meant by “indirect action,” but China recently rejected applications by South Korean carriers to add charter flights between the two countries. Yoo said on Sunday the government was looking into whether China’s decision to deny the airlines’ applications, which came ahead of a traditional surge in Lunar New Year holiday travel, was related to the deployment of the anti-missile system. Chinese authorities have not responded to requests for comment on the rejection of the flight applications.
Yoo also said South Korea planned to make efforts to reduce its trade surplus with the US in response to an assertion by US president-elect Donald Trump that the US had been hurt by what he considers an unfair trade agreement with South Korea. Another finance ministry official told reporters separately that the government could look into importing more US raw materials and machinery parts as part of the effort to reduce the surplus.
Beijing indirectly retaliating against THAAD: minister - Taipei Times
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced his opposition to the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system on the Korean peninsula during a meeting with South Korea opposition party lawmakers in Beijing on Wednesday. The meeting, which took place as Seoul is preparing to move forward with THAAD deployment in coordination with U.S. Forces Korea, addressed possible boycotts against South Korean companies and pop artists that have raised concerns, South Korean television network MBC reported Thursday.
Rep. Song Young-gil of South Korea's Minjoo Party, who met with Wang, said there was a "tacit understanding" between the two sides that the boycott against K-Pop artists was in some part a response to South Korea's decision to deploy THAAD. Wang has also refused to meet with the South Korean ambassador to Beijing, and Ambassador Kim Jang-soo was denied a meeting with a Chinese senior official in charge of North Korea affairs.
South Korean analyst Shin Sang-jin at Kwangwoon University has said the Korean government would not welcome the recent meeting between Korea's political opposition and the Chinese foreign minister because Seoul sees the encounter as an opening for China's strategic intentions to intervene in Korean politics. Other analysts have said Beijing is looking for an opportunity to deter South Korea from its longstanding commitment to the security alliance it retains with the United States and Japan, according to MBC.
Beijing's foreign ministry issued a statement on THAAD deployment in South Korea on Thursday, according to Korean news service Money Today. Beijing said that while it "understands the South Korean side is trying to protect the security of the nation and its people ... China is against the enforcement of THAAD that would incur losses for China's strategic security." Seoul is moving ahead with the deployment and is expected to complete the land exchange with conglomerate Lotte, which owns the golf course in Seongju where the missile defense system is to be deployed. THAAD could be deployed as early as May 2017, according to News 1.
China 'tacitly' admitted to retaliatory response to THAAD, lawmaker says
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Republic of Korea Vice Minister Lim Sung-nam and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama met in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to discuss several issues, including cybersecurity, energy, health and economic policies, but North Korea's increased provocations related to its nuclear capabilities led the agenda. "North Korea's illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs directly threaten the security of the United States, Japan, and the ROK. Our three countries share the belief that the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea remains the only viable option to safeguard peace and security. North Korea's provocations only serve to deepen its isolation," the U.S. Department of State said in a statement following the trilateral meeting.
The State Department said the three countries will continue working to make sure other countries implement all United Nations sanctions against North Korea, adding that the international community should also consider North Korea's "economic deprivation and horrific human rights abuses at the hands of the Kim Jong Un regime."
The North Korean leader on Sunday said Pyongyang has nearly completed its efforts to test launch an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Theoretically, the warhead could reach U.S. shores. "There is broad international consensus that North Korea must refrain from its destabilizing actions and rhetoric, and focus on honoring its international obligations and commitments," the U.S. State Department added. "These sanctions, along with our close trilateral coordination on our respective new unilateral sanctions against North Korea, are the latest steps in our ongoing efforts to convince North Korea that the only path to the economic development and international recognition it claims to seek is by returning to credible and meaningful negotiations on denuclearization."
During a press conference, Blinken said it was "absolutely vitally important that we exercise sustained comprehensive pressure on North Korea to get it to stop these programs."
U.S., South Korea, Japan push for North Korea's 'irreversible denuclearization'
The countermeasures "will be aimed at safeguarding interests of China and Russia and the strategic balance in the region", Xinhua said, citing a statement released after a China-Russia security meeting. China and Russia held a joint anti-missile drill last May after Washington and Seoul began discussions over installing the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter any North Korean threats. THAAD is now due to be deployed on a South Korean golf course, unsettling Moscow and Beijing, which worry that the system's powerful radar will compromise their security and do nothing to lower tensions on the Korean peninsula.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency.
China and Russia said in October they would hold a second drill this year. "China and Russia urged the United States and South Korea to address their security concerns and stop the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula," Xinhua quoted the statement as saying. North Korea's drive to develop nuclear weapons capability has angered China, Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic supporter. However, Beijing fears THAAD and its radar have a range that would extend into China. On Thursday, South Korea's trade minister said the South might complain to China about actions perceived to have been taken in retaliation for its decision to deploy the U.S. anti-missile system.
China, Russia agree on more 'countermeasures' against U.S. anti-missile system: Xinhua
The joint U.S.-South Korea decision to deploy THAAD was reached in July 2016. Russia has not been as vocal as China in its opposition to the missile defense system, which Beijing claims is being used for monitoring purposes. But on Friday, Ambassador Alexander Timonin told South Korean reporters if the system is placed in position, Russia has no choice but to take steps to ensure its security, Maeil Business reported. "A THAAD deployment may have a dangerous impact on the situation on the peninsula...We regard it as part of the U.S. global missile defense program, which is stationed along the Russian borders and therefore poses a threat to our security," Timonin said.
China is suspected of boycotting South Korean companies and banning performances of K-Pop artists in response to the decision. The statement from the top diplomat in Seoul came on the same day U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis agreed with South Korean leaders that THAAD deployment is to take place as planned. According to local newspaper Munhwa Ilbo, Mattis said North Korea provocations have made it necessary to deploy missile defense. Mattis also said the United States would work with allies for peace, stability and freedom in the Asia-Pacific.
In Beijing, during a regular press briefing on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China's position on THAAD has not changed. "The U.S.-South Korea pursuit of THAAD deployment can undermine China's national strategy and prosperity, and also undermines regional strategic balance," the spokesman said, according to Yonhap. "It does not help solve the problems on the Korean peninsula."
Lu also described THAAD deployment as the "wrong path." China has taken 43 retaliatory measures against South Korea entities since the decision was reached, according to Seoul's Korea Institute for National Unification. A total of 23 of those cases were culture-related, 15 involved South Korean businesses and five targeted Seoul's diplomatic corps, politicians and military.
Russia warns South Korea of consequences if THAAD deployed
North Korea warned South Korea of a "catastrophic outcome" if Seoul goes ahead with plans to conduct joint military exercises with the United States. A spokesman for Pyongyang's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said in a statement issued Wednesday the drills will generate more conflict. "The problem is the South Korean government, in defiance of the atmosphere, is already making a fuss about taking the path to push ahead with Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises in March and bring in again U.S. nuclear strategic assets," the statement read. "It's needless to say what catastrophic outcome could result when such nuclear war rehearsals take place in front of us at a time our strategic status has changed."
North Korea also claimed South Korea was facing domestic instability, following the impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and warned of "unimaginable conflicts and war." Tensions have risen on the peninsula since Kim Jong Un announced he is ready to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile. South Korea is wary of missile and North Korea submarine threats, and for the first time deployed AgustaWestland's Wildcat maritime helicopters to be used for anti-submarine warfare.
The first four helicopters were deployed Wednesday, and the remaining four are to be placed in position in July, South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo reported. Wildcat helicopters can be used to detect enemy ships and submarines. Anti-submarine torpedoes can be mounted on the helicopter, and an integrated dipping sonar system has a detection capability four times more powerful than the technology made for the Lynx helicopter, according to the report. On Wednesday, a drill was held in southeastern South Korea to train pilots in detecting North Korea submarines using two Wildcat helicopters.
North Korea warns South of 'catastrophic' consequences of U.S. drills
