By Kim Hyo-jin
The government and the ruling Saenuri Party will hold a policy coordination meeting, Sunday, over the possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) on Korean soil, according to sources Friday.
Controversy has been brewing over the issue recently after U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) acknowledged it conducted on-site examinations on candidate sites for the envisioned deployment of the advanced missile interceptor battery.
"We will have a heart-to-heart talk on comprehensive security issues," Rep. Won Yoo-chul, the Saenuri Party's chief policymaker, said Friday during a meeting.
It is expected that THAAD will be discussed Sunday along with civil servants' pension reform, the minimum wage and revitalizing the economy.
"As THAAD is not an issue to be spoken about publicly, it will be discussed during a closed-door meeting after an opening speech," a party source said.
A vernacular daily said that the USFK carried out a feasibility survey for stationing THAAD early this year at five sites, including Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province and Busan. A statement released by the USFK said it conducted informal surveys, falling short of confirming the details.
In response, the Defense Ministry expressed concern, saying it is not appropriate to make an official statement about the issue.
The USKF's first official confirmation on the THAAD discussion came a day after Cheong Wa Dae responded cautiously to the escalating dispute over the issue.
"The government's stance is three ‘no's ― no request, no consultation and no decision," presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said Wednesday, implying the government had no request from the U.S., no consultation and no decision.
The ruling Saenuri Party recently fuelled controversy in support of the THAAD deployment amid growing concerns over the Korea-U.S. alliance following a knife attack on U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert.
While supporters argue it will better protect Korea from Pyongyang's ballistic missile threat, opponents believe it could harm relations with China.
THAAD equipped with e X-Band radar provides coverage over an area of some 600 miles, which would provide detection for missile capabilities inside China.
Beijing has strongly opposed the plan and pressed Seoul to reject it, describing the move as a threat to its security. Washington in the meantime has urged Seoul to station the THAAD.
The government has maintained ambiguity between Washington, its biggest ally, and China, its largest trading partner.
The THAAD deployment issue is expected to top the agenda when U.S. Secretary of State Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter visit Korea in early April.
They are reportedly planning to come to Seoul and reaffirm U.S. commitment on security in the region.
The government and the ruling Saenuri Party will hold a policy coordination meeting, Sunday, over the possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) on Korean soil, according to sources Friday.
Controversy has been brewing over the issue recently after U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) acknowledged it conducted on-site examinations on candidate sites for the envisioned deployment of the advanced missile interceptor battery.
"We will have a heart-to-heart talk on comprehensive security issues," Rep. Won Yoo-chul, the Saenuri Party's chief policymaker, said Friday during a meeting.
It is expected that THAAD will be discussed Sunday along with civil servants' pension reform, the minimum wage and revitalizing the economy.
"As THAAD is not an issue to be spoken about publicly, it will be discussed during a closed-door meeting after an opening speech," a party source said.
A vernacular daily said that the USFK carried out a feasibility survey for stationing THAAD early this year at five sites, including Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province and Busan. A statement released by the USFK said it conducted informal surveys, falling short of confirming the details.
In response, the Defense Ministry expressed concern, saying it is not appropriate to make an official statement about the issue.
The USKF's first official confirmation on the THAAD discussion came a day after Cheong Wa Dae responded cautiously to the escalating dispute over the issue.
"The government's stance is three ‘no's ― no request, no consultation and no decision," presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said Wednesday, implying the government had no request from the U.S., no consultation and no decision.
The ruling Saenuri Party recently fuelled controversy in support of the THAAD deployment amid growing concerns over the Korea-U.S. alliance following a knife attack on U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert.
While supporters argue it will better protect Korea from Pyongyang's ballistic missile threat, opponents believe it could harm relations with China.
THAAD equipped with e X-Band radar provides coverage over an area of some 600 miles, which would provide detection for missile capabilities inside China.
Beijing has strongly opposed the plan and pressed Seoul to reject it, describing the move as a threat to its security. Washington in the meantime has urged Seoul to station the THAAD.
The government has maintained ambiguity between Washington, its biggest ally, and China, its largest trading partner.
The THAAD deployment issue is expected to top the agenda when U.S. Secretary of State Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter visit Korea in early April.
They are reportedly planning to come to Seoul and reaffirm U.S. commitment on security in the region.
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