US to deploy anti-missile battery in South Korea

The official was commenting on a Yonhap news agency report on remarks made by Vincent Brooks, commander of United States Forces Korea, in which he laid out plans for the deployment. Brooks said, rotating strategic weaponry onto the Korean peninsula would have a deterrent effect against North Korean provocations, according to the agency. He also said the battery would be bigger than one deployed in Guam. The official could not confirm Brook’s comment on rotation, but said the US and South Korean governments are currently in discussions for such strategic weaponry deployment. Washington and Seoul have agreed to deploy the THAAD system in South Korea to protect against North Korean threats. China was angered by the decision. South Korea has said it plans to have THAAD operational by the end of next year at the latest. Tensions on the Korean peninsula have been high this year, with North Korea conducting two nuclear tests and an unprecedented number of ballistic missile tests.