The US will be able to fully deploy the THAAD missile defence system in the Republic of Korea to intercept ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere

In 2017, the US deployed a THAAD missile defence system in the Republic of Korea. This was in response to the launch of four North Korean ballistic missiles. All these years the deployment has been temporary, but that is about to change.

Here's What We Know

Concerns about the impact of the missile defence system's electromagnetic waves on the human body and the environment have led to protests. The government initiated an environmental assessment, which was completed this week.

The missile defence system is located some 215km southeast of Seoul. The assessment showed that the maximum amount of electromagnetic waves was well below the permissible limit.

This was reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing a press release from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Korea. Additionally, it is noted that the agency has hired outside experts to make the assessment more reliable.

The country's authorities are pushing for the full deployment of THAAD as North Korea accelerates its missile and nuclear programmes. Completion of the environmental assessment will allow the pace of infrastructure construction to pick up.

Source: Yonhap