THAAD Showdown

[Anchor Lead]

The Defense Ministry clashed with residents and civic groups in Seongju, Gyeongsangbukdo Province as officials tried to haul construction materials and equipment into the THAAD antimissile base in the county. The two sides narrowly reached a compromise and agreed to renegotiate the construction material transport next week.

[Pkg]

Residents and civic group members who oppose the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system are blocking a bridge that leads to a military base. The police try to disperse the locals who have tied themselves together as well as with the bridge's grid-shaped iron bars. A physical clash ensued, and three residents were injured and taken to hospital. On Thursday morning, the Defense Ministry tried to bring in materials into the THAAD base that are needed to renovate the living quarters of soldiers stationed there. Officials also planned to carry out remaining heavy equipment from the THAAD site. But local residents strongly protested, saying the military's move may lead the military to resume its base construction.

[Soundbite] Lee Jong-hee(Anti-THAAD Deployment Civic Committee) : "We are inevitably protesting because it can only be seen as a military facility construction project as the Defense Ministry has refused the entry of even a single local resident."

As the clash intensified, the Defense Ministry stopped its forced breakup of the protesters and set out to negotiate. The confrontation ended after 4 hours as residents allowed the ministry to only remove 15 pieces of heavy equipment out of the THAAD base. The two sides will hold more talks but the situation is far from resolved as more physical clashes may erupt over the disputed base construction.