South Korean leaders firmly rebuked Chinese criticisms of a new defensive strategy for dealing with North Korea by demanding that China take a more proactive role in reining in its belligerent northern neighbor.
After weeks of listening to China complain about American plans to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea and put increased pressure on North Korea, South Korea is throwing down the gauntlet.
“Before raising objections to our defensive measure, we think China should strongly address North Korea for repeatedly carrying out nuclear and missile tests and putting peace and stability in Northeast Asia at risk,” said senior presidential secretary for public affairs Kim Sung-Woo during a Sunday morning briefing.
The South Korean presidential office strongly urged South Korean lawmakers to cancel their planned trips to China to discuss THAAD, saying, “We hope that the political circles will support the government’s plan to deploy THAAD for the security of the nation and the people.” “China will exploit them,” Kim added, saying, “I encourage them to be sensible and reconsider their visit.”
President Park Geun-hye is taking a firm stance on Chinese saber-rattling. North Korea conducted four nuclear tests, this year alone and it launched 10 ballistic missiles.
At the U.N. Security Council meeting requested by Japan after North Korea fired a ballistic missile into Japanese airspace last week, Chinese ambassador Liu Jieyi said, “If you look at the factors contributing to the tension in the Korean peninsula, I think the answer is self-evident.”
Chinese criticisms of THAAD go back to July, when the U.S. and South Korea announced next-year deployment. China believes that the capabilities of this missile defense system exceed the demands of the peninsula, indicating that THAAD is actually designed to threaten China and Russia, as well as upset the regional balance of power.
“It is impossible for South Korea’s leader not to know America’s strategic plot. (She) is well aware of the real direction of the THAAD anti-missile system. (She) has no hesitation about undermining regional stability and fragrantly damaging the security interests of neighboring powers,” said China’s People’s Daily in a Wednesday editorial.
In response to claims that THAAD is responsible for North Korean war-baiting, Kim said Sunday, “It would be in the wrong order to claim that the decision to deploy THAAD is the cause of North Korea’s repeated military provocations.”
The state-funded China People’s Daily replied by calling the ROK’s decision on THAAD “reckless” and “irresponsible.” “Insincere words cannot persuade anyone,” the article added, saying, “careless remarks on security issues that concern core national interests can easily become laughing stock.”
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