Washington and Seoul’s decision to deploy THAAD, following sustained nuclear weapons and ballistic missile testing in the North, is justified – but could be used as leverage with Beijing.

That was according to Professor Stephan Haggard, speaking at the 54th East Asia Foundation Seminar in Seoul on Monday, with colleague Dr. Moon Chung-in, adjunct professor at Yonsei University.

Haggard said because the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment was upsetting Pyongyang and Beijing, the U.S. and ROK might be able to use it as ‘bargaining chip’ to stimulate active trilateral talks with Beijing.

“The U.S. needs to reiterate that