ROK lawmakers make case for adoption of US missile defense

Ruling party lawmakers in the Republic of Korea have suggested it's necessary to adopt a US-developed missile defense system to enhance defense capabilities against nuclear and missile threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The system in question, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, is an advanced missile defense system developed by US-based Lockheed Martin that is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at an altitude of 40-150 km.

"Views in favor of deploying THAAD on the Korean Peninsula were brought forward within the party. I personally have claimed the need to introduce interceptor missiles for a long time," Yoo Seung-min, floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, was quoted by local media as saying during a party meeting on Monday.

Yoo said the introduction of THAAD is needed to protect the country from a DPRK attack and is a matter of "national survival." He vowed to collect opinions within the party on THAAD by the end of March, when the party will hold a policy meeting.

His comments came a day after two members of the ruling party, including the party's policy committee chief and head of the parliamentary committee for foreign affairs and unification, said it was necessary to adopt THAAD on the Korean Peninsula.

The support has taken shape in the ruling party after US Ambassador to the ROK Mark Lippert was attacked on Thursday by an assailant who opposed ongoing US-ROK annual military exercises.

Lippert was slashed in his face and hand by an ROK activist, identified as Kim Ki-jong, 55, who was arrested on various charges including attempted murder.

Expressing regrets over the incident, ruling party chief Kim Moo-sung said during the party meeting that Seoul "will never succumb to this terrorism" and will strengthen the US-ROK alliance.

Regarding the remarks, ROK Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said the ministry has no plan to purchase the US missile defense system, reiterating its position on the issue.

The spokesman said the ROK military is focusing on a low-altitude missile defense and plans to develop its own missile defense system.