THAAD deployment by South Korea

In late 2016, the United States and South Korea jointly announced the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in response to nuclear and missile threats by North Korea. The move drew opposition from China and Russia. The US states that the deployment of the THAAD is "purely a defensive measure... only aimed at North Korea" and has no intention to threaten China's security interests. China has continuously expressed its opposition over South Korea and US's decision because of its concern that the deployment of THAAD might be a measure by the US to contain China. == Reactions from China ==

Stating that the THAAD will undermine China's own nuclear deterrent capability, China's Ambassador Qiu Guohong warned that the deployment of THAAD could "destroy" the China–South Korea ties in an instant, whereas the spokesperson of the president of South Korea warned China that deploying the THAAD is a "matter we will decide upon according to our own security and national interests." In February 2016, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that having THAAD in South Korea would "shatter the regional strategic balance" and that the system exceeded South Korea's need. In 2017, a Chinese military official said that the deployment had a negative influence on "bilateral military ties and mutual trust" with the United States. . With South Korea's decision in 2017 to accept the deployment of THAAD in the country, although China's government shied away from formal sanctions and measures, it has urged its citizens through official media to express their displeasure and ill will at South Korea over the move. Chinese citizens were allowed to gather to protest. The news media has reported of citizen boycotts of South Korean products like Hyundai cars, of South Korean goods being removed from supermarket shelves, and tourists and travel companies canceling trips to South Korea. South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group became a particular focus. Lotte had agreed to an exchange of land, a golf course in Seongju, with the South Korean government that will be used for the THAAD deployment. In addition to a consumer boycott of Lotte stores in China, municipal authorities suddenly discovered that Lotte stores and factories to be in contravention of fire safety regulations and other local ordinances which has resulted in the closure of 75 out of 99 Lotte supermarkets. March sales of Hyundai and its sister brand Kia Motors in China plunged 52 per cent from a year earlier to 72,000 vehicles, the lowest level since 2014. Opinion polls conducted in South Korea found less favorable perceptions of China. Korean culture, singers, actors and dancers are popular with Chinese youth because of the development of the internet and export of Korean cultural content. After the 2017 THAAD deployment, a Hallyu ban was placed. In China, Hallyu cultural events were canceled, Korean actors had to quit from their works and limited Korean media could be exported to China. == Aftermath ==

To relieve the economic strain the informal Chinese sanctions placed on South Korea, president Moon promised "three No-s," saying that he would not participate in the US missile defense system, that he was not considering the additional deployment of THAAD, and that Japan–US–Korea security cooperation would not develop into a military alliance. For aims of a détente (a relaxation of tension), China and South Korea held a summit in Hangzhou, eastern China, on 5 September 2016 with each party's leaders, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping and President Park Geun-Hye, to discuss the issue of THAAD. During the summit, Park reemphasized that the THAAD deployment is only to be aimed against North Korea and that there should be no reason for China's security interest to be concerned. However, Xi reiterated China's firm stance against the deployment of THAAD stating that it could "intensify disputes". Yet, the two countries still emphasized the long history of their relationship and agreed that a stable and healthy bilateral relationship will benefit both countries. Amid the 2026 Iran war, the United States moved the THAAD system out of Korea for deployment in the Middle East. The action was widely covered in South Korean news and generated controversy, with President Lee Jae Myung publicly expressing his opposition to the American decision. == References ==