‘Shocked’ South Korea leader Moon orders probe into why US delivered four extra THAAD launchers without telling him
It comes as South Korea and China try to put relations back on track after deployment of missile system infuriated Beijing
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ordered a probe into the introduction of four THAAD anti-missile launchers in addition to two deployed by the US military before his election, his spokesman said on Tuesday.
Moon was “shocked” to hear that the four additional THAAD launchers, deployed to counter the North Korean missile threat, were brought in without being reported to the new government or to the public, presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told a media briefing.
“President Moon ordered his senior secretary for civil affairs and head of the National Security Office to find the truth behind the unauthorised entry of the four rocket launchers,” Yoon said.
“He also ordered them to find the truth about why it has never been reported to the people or the new government.”
The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system by the US military, agreed by the government of Moon’s predecessor, was a controversial issue in the May 10 presidential election and has infuriated China, North Korea’s lone major ally.
