Over half of S.Koreans demand next president's decision on THAAD deployment: poll

Over half of South Koreans demanded next president's decision on the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in their soil, a poll showed Tuesday.

According to the survey, 56.5 percent of respondents said the deployment process should be suspended and that the final decision should be made by next government as it is a significant matter.

It was based on a survey of 1,003 voters conducted on April 11. The result was jointly released by a local pollster URI Research & Consulting and the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a local civic group.

The support rate for the suspended THAAD deployment procedure was 18.0 percentage points higher than those who demanded a continued push for the U.S. missile shield installation.

Seoul and Washington agreed in July last year to deploy one THAAD battery in southeast South Korea. A THAAD battery is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, an AN/TPY-2 radar and a fire & control unit.

In early March, two mobile launchers and part of THAAD elements were delivered to a U.S. military base in South Korea, boosting concerns about a hurried deployment before a new government here is launched.

A presidential by-election is scheduled for May 9 as former President Park Geun-hye was impeached on March 10 over corruption allegations.

The deployment decision has been under fire from the opposition bloc as it was made without any parliamentary approval and public discussions.

THAAD in South Korea caused strong opposition from regional countries, including China and Russia, as it breaks regional strategic balance and damages security interests of regional countries. Endit