South Korea will review possible new locations for deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, its Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on Monday.

The decision follows extended deadlock between the national government and local citizens, who through rallies and protests have expressed concern that the THAAD technology may pose health risks or damage local fruit crops.

“The South Korean government will closely cooperate with the local government and review six proposed locations at the earliest convenience,” a public relations official from the MND told NK News on Monday afternoon.

The statement came a few hours after the governor of Seongju