U.S. State Department calls China's retaliation over THAAD 'unreasonable,' 'inappropriate'

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. State Department expressed concern Thursday about a series of retaliatory measures China has been taking against South Korean businesses over Seoul's decision to host the U.S. THAAD missile defense system, calling the reaction "unreasonable and inappropriate."

"We are concerned and closely monitoring reports that China has taken actions against South Korean private sector entities for the U.S.-ROK decision to deploy THAAD in the ROK," a State Department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency on background, referring to South Korea by the acronym of its official name, the Republic of Korea.

"As THAAD is a prudent and limited self-defense measure designed to respond to a clear, reckless and unlawful North Korean military threat, criticism or pressure on the ROK to abandon its self-defense would be unreasonable and inappropriate," the official said.

The official also said that the U.S. stands by its "ironclad commitment" to the defense of allies, and will "continue to develop a comprehensive set of alliance capabilities to counter the growing North Korean ballistic missile threat."

jschang@yna.co.kr
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