S.Korean lawmakers put forward views for adopting U.S. missile defense

Ruling party lawmakers in South Korea has put forward views that it would be necessary to adopt the U.S.-developed missile defense system to enhance defense capabilities against what they called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile threats.

"Views in favor of deploying THAAD on the Korean Peninsula were brought forward within the party. I personally have claimed the need for introduce interceptor missiles for a long time,"Rep. Yoo Seung-min, floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, said during a party meeting Monday.

The THAAD stands for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, an advanced missile defense system developed by the U.S.-based Lockheed Martin. It is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at an altitude of 40-150 km.

Yoo said the THAAD introduction is a matter of how to protect the country from the DPRK's attack, which is equal to a matter of national survival. He vowed to collect opinion within the party about the THAAD issue by the end of March when the party will hold a policy meeting.

His comments came a day after two members of the ruling party, including the party's policy committee chief and head of the parliamentary committee for foreign affairs and unification, brought forward the need for adoption of the THAAD on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding the remarks, Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told a press briefing that the ministry has no plan to purchase the U.S. missile defense system, reiterating its position on the issue.

On Feb. 25, Defense Minister Han Min-koo told lawmakers that the military has no plan to purchase the THAAD, saying it means no plan to introduce the missile defense program. Endi