Upon the objections on the US-funded Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) deployment saying it affects the regional security balance, the new government of the Republic of Korea decided to suspend its deployment until the environmental impact of the system is thoroughly examined. THAAD aims to protect the Republic of Korea from the North's missiles and has been highly criticised at home and by China.
According to officials, such a comprehensive environmental study could take up to a year to complete. The Government said two systems already installed will stay in place while four recently arrived launchers will wait.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)