The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) has become operational in South Korea, deployed under last year's agreement between Washington and Seoul. The confirmation by US and South Korea came on Monday, stating that the system now has “initial intercept capability”. Tensions have been escalating in the region in recent months over concerns of North Korea's nuclear missile tests. Despite China’s criticism on the decision showing the reason that the system's long-range radar could track Chinese missile systems, the US missile system has been installed in Seongju, in South Korea’s North Gyeongsang Province. 

THAAD is designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles inside and outside of atmosphere when in their “terminal” phase.