国际英语资讯:Spotlight: S. Korean civic groups moving to oppose THAAD deployment_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: S. Korean civic groups moving to oppose THAAD deployment

Two mobile launchers and other first elements of THAAD were delivered to a U.S. military base in South Korea at night on March 6. One THAAD battery is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, an X-band radar and the fire and control unit.

Late last year, the deployment date was advanced to some time between June and August, and it was put forward further to April ahead of the presidential election on May 9, according to local media speculations.

The South Korean government, which is being led by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn serving now as acting leader, is suspected of hurriedly pushing the THAAD installation to politicize security issues during the election campaign period.

Voters here tended to support conservative candidates in the past presidential races when tensions mounted on the peninsula. Conservative voters are now supporting the THAAD deployment based on ungrounded beliefs that THAAD is capable of intercepting DPRK missiles targeting South Korea.

"Escalating tensions between people, between the two Koreas and between countries in Northeast Asia is THAAD," said Ahn Jaewoong, reverend member of executive committee at the National Council of Churches in Korea.

He said the power of candlelit rallies would be centered on oppositions to THAAD in South Korea, noting that the deployment decision, made without going through proper procedures, should be cancelled and re-negotiated.