U.S. says THAAD talks 'progressing well'

By Chang Jae-soon

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Yonhap) -- Talks between South Korea and the United States about the potential deployment of the THAAD missile defense system are "progressing well" and the U.S. hopes the discussions will wrap up as early as possible, the Pentagon said Friday.

Following the North's long-range missile test in February, Seoul and Washington launched official talks about placing a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in the South to bolster defense against missile threats from the communist nation.

The issue has drawn renewed attention due to the North's recent series of ballistic missile tests, including two launches this week of the Musudan intermediate-range missile that is believed to be capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam, a forward base for U.S. bombers.

"These are conversations that as you know have been going on for several days, several weeks and (that) they are progressing well is my understanding," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said at a regular briefing.

"There are still some details to work out, but again those conversations with the Republic of Korea, this is an alliance decision to move forward with the THAAD system and again, those conversations continue. There are some logistical things that need to be worked out, but those conversations have progressed well," he said.

Asked if the North's recent missile tests accelerated the discussions, Cook said that the reason for the two countries to start the talks is because of the North's recent actions.

"I think consistent with that, we would like to see these conversations, as I think the South Koreans would, wrap up in as efficient and timely fashion as possible," he said.

Cook also said the two countries are proceeding through specific steps that they should go through before reaching a final decision on THAAD.

"I think it's fair to say that they are making progress. We do not have something to announce at this time," he said.

Sources in South Korea have said that the THAAD talks have moved forward to a point where the two sides are now looking at candidate sites for deployment, including not only existing U.S. military bases but also mountainous areas away from cities.

THAAD has been a sensitive issue because of China's strong opposition to it. Beijing claims that THAAD, especially a powerful radar that comes with it, can be used against it, despite repeated assurances from Washington that the system is aimed only at deterring North Korean threats.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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