United States begins delivery of THAAD anti-defense missile system to South Korea
Hundreds of protesters in the South Korean town of Seongju clashed with police earlier this week as trailers carrying components of the U.S. advanced missile defense system known as THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) rolled through en route to a nearby installation site. The first elements of the THAAD system were delivered to South Korea in early March. South Korea and the United States said the sole purpose of the advanced THAAD system is to defend against missile launches from North Korea. While China opposes THAAD, calling it a threat to its own security, it has spoken out against North Korea's missile and nuclear tests and has supported U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang. Most recently, on April 16, North Korea conducted a failed missile test in defiance of increased U.S. warnings that there would be serious consequences for such provocative actions, including a possible military response. North Korea also is believed to be preparing for a sixth nuclear weapons test, ignoring China’s protest and severe economic sanctions by the international community. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump invited all 100 U.S. senators to the White House for a classified briefing that will primarily concern North Korea. While lawmakers often receive classified briefings on Capitol Hill, it is rare for them to take place at the White House and for the entire Senate to be involved in one event. These unusual consultations occurred when the United States and Japan were conducting joint naval exercises in waters west of Korean Peninsula.
