The United States and South Korea agreed to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to be operated by U.S. Forces Korea (USKF), it was announced on Friday.

The decision, which drew immediate criticism from China, was described as coming in response to North Korea’s increasing threat, characterized by its recent “nuclear test and multiple ballistic missile tests.

“The ROK and the United States made an Alliance decision to deploy THAAD to USFK as a defensive measure to ensure the security of the ROK and its people, and to protect Alliance military forces from North Korea’s weapons of mass