North Korea Claims US, South Korea Will Use THAAD Against China, Russia

THAAD in South Korea — Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors arrive at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the United States Forces Korea and released by Yonhap News Agency, March 7, 2017. USFK/Yonhap via REUTERS

North Korea’s embassy in China claimed the U.S. and South Korea will use an anti-missile defense system — to be deployed in the Korean Peninsula — against China and Russia. The comments came at a rare press conference Thursday outside the embassy in Beijing.

Pak Myong Ho, a North Korean diplomat, also said the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system deployment "will destroy the balance in Northeast Asia and the Pacific region." The U.S. began dispatching parts of THAAD to its Osan Air Base in South Korea earlier this month.

"The radar is not aimed at just us," Pak said, adding: "It is also aiming for China and Russia."

Furthermore, the diplomat denounced the ongoing military drills by the U.S. and South Korea.

"We cannot accept the joint military drills as they are sparking tensions on the Korean Peninsula," Pak reportedly said, referring to the two-month long Foal Eagle military drills that began March 1.

On March 7, North Korean diplomat Ju Yong Choi threatened Washington and Seoul of an "actual war" over their joint military exercises. Ju reportedly described the drills as “massive, unprecedented” and a “major cause of escalation of tension that might turn into actual war.” The exercises were aimed at conducting a “pre-emptive nuclear attack” against the North, the diplomat added.

The U.S. is also expected to deploy Gray Eagle attack drones to South Korea to counter potential threats from North Korea. The aircraft, which will be deployed at a U.S. military base in the southwestern town of Gunsan, is reportedly capable of striking military facilities north of the Military Demarcation Line that separates the two Koreas.

On March 6, the Kim Jong Un-led country fired four ballistic missiles off its east coast. The North said the launches were a part of exercises targeting U.S. military bases in Japan. The missiles were launched from the Dongchang-ri long-range missile site in North Pyongan province, and flew for about 620 miles before splashing into the Sea of Japan.

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