U.S. Missile Defense

[Anchor Lead]

In Washington, the Pentagon says it will negotiate the terms of the THAAD missile defense system with the South Korean government. It's the first time for the Pentagon to mention THAAD talks since the new administration took office in South Korea.

[Pkg]

Last month U.S. forces stationed in Korea all of a sudden delivered the core components of a U.S. missile defense system to Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Sources say the deployment of the key components, such as radars, mobile launch pads and missile defense, is now complete. The U.S. Pentagon's spokesperson confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday that the deployment of the first battery is complete. He added that the delivery of additional parts and THAAD negotiations will be discussed with the new South Korean government. The spokesperson stressed that the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula is in line with an agreement of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and that Washington would discuss the issue based on Seoul's position on the matter. The spokesperson also said that the South Korea-U.S. alliance has undergone significant change each time a new administration took office, but remained strong for more than six decades. It's the first time a U.S. government official brought up the issue of the missile defense system since the new administration was inaugurated in Korea. The missile defense system is highly likely to top the agenda of the Korea-U.S. summit meeting slated for next month.