Despite China's strong opposition, the United States has decided to move forward with its plans to deploy a missile defense system in South Korea.

A senior State Department official revealed that Washington will deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to South Korea "as soon as possible."

Like Us on Facebook

"Given the accelerating pace of North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)'s missile tests, we intend to deploy on an accelerated basis -- I would say as soon as possible," Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said during a hearing of the House foreign affairs subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Russel also tried to allay Chinese apprehensions regarding the THAAD deployment in South Korea. He pointed out that the deployment is aimed at countering North Korean threat in the region.

"This is a defensive measure aimed not at China, but at North Korea. It is a defense based decision, not a political decision," the diplomat said. "And it is part of a layered system of defense that will augment many military installations and systems currently in place."

In June this year, Washington and Seoul announced their decision to place THAAD missile defense system with US forces' base in South Korean territory. Russia and China raised serious objections to the planned deployment saying that it would provoke North Korea and affect the peace and stability in Korean Peninsula.

It can be noted that United States has been trying to placate China and Russia over the issue since then. Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping also conveyed his country's opposition to US President Barack Obama over the planned deployment. 

Tagschina, US, South Korea, North Korea, THAAD