December 07, 2023
Analysis

South Korea faces tough choice on THAAD

Deployed or not, missile defense system likely to remain a contentious issue

Should South Korea take a step toward enhancing its own defenses against a (potentially nuclear armed) North Korean ballistic missile program, even if that means alienating its neighbors?

For more than a year this has been Seoul's dilemma regarding the U.S.-developed THAAD missile defense system. Various parties – including different elements with South Korea and foreign powers – have voiced their concerns and taken varying positions regarding a possible THAAD deployment.