Park dismisses concerns about AIIB, THAAD

SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday dismissed concerns that South Korea's decisions on a U.S. anti-missile defense system and a China-led regional bank could jeopardize its relations with either country, saying principle and consistency should be the basis for foreign and economic policy.

Park's remarks came as critics and the local media have linked the possible deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea with Seoul's decision to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Critics have argued that South Korea may have to accept the U.S.'s wish to deploy a THAAD battery here in return for participating in the AIIB despite Washington's objections.

The U.S. is South Korea's traditional ally, while China is South Korea's largest trading partner.

"In the press and other places, they say 'Oh no! We're in trouble' because we're sandwiched between powerful nations, but there's no need for that," an official quoted Park as telling her special advisers and senior secretaries during a closed-door luncheon at her official residence. The official was one of the attendees.

"We decide in a dignified manner based on an overall judgment of various pieces of information," Park said, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

hague@yna.co.kr
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