U.S. missile defense on Korean soil not related to China: Seoul

South Korea on Monday brushed aside Chinese concerns about the possible
deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense (MD) system on its soil,
stressing its purpose would be to detect North Korean missiles launches.

As an integral part of the U.S.-led air defense system for the region,
the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is designed to
intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles
at high altitudes in their terminal phase.

Its possible deployment on Korean soil has drawn keen attention as it
would mean Seoul joining the U.S. MD system, also joined by Japan,
which mainly aims to counter the rising influence of China in the region.

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap)