WASHINGTON — The U.S. intends to deploy a missile defence system in South Korea “as soon as possible” to counter the threat from North Korea despite opposition from China, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Tuesday. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said he believes South Korea is firmly committed to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, or THAAD system. He told a congressional hearing the system is purely defensive and is not aimed at China but at North Korea. Tuesday’s hearing of a House panel overseeing foreign policy toward Asia examined the state of co-operation South Korea and Japan — close U.S. allies that face a mutual threat from neighbouring North Korea but sharp historical differences. The U.S. has a total of nearly 80,000 troops based in Japan and South Korea, the backbone of its military presence in Asia.

Source: National Post September 28, 2016 15:33 UTC