Controversy over possible THAAD deployment to S. Korea reignited 한미 ″케리 방

The THAAD controversy is back...following U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry′s recent visit to South Korea. Calling on American troops stationed in Seoul to prepare for possible provocations from North Korea，... Kerry mentioned the possibility of deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to the peninsula. Laah Hyun－kyung has more. ″You have to be prepared for every eventuality， which is why we redeployed some ships and forces and why we′re talking about THAAD and other things today.″ Those remarks by Secretary of State John Kerry reignited the question of whether Washington will put the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense， or THAAD battery， on South Korean soil... to counter the threat of ballistic missiles coming from the North. U.S. officials have said they′re discussing the possibility internally. China and Russia have expressed strong resistance because they feel THAAD will threaten regional security，...while Seoul remains sandwiched between Washington and Beijing. Following Kerry′s comments，... officials at Seoul′s foreign ministry said... his remarks were simply meant to stress the seriousness of North Korea′s nuclear and missile provocations. Seoul′s defense ministry echoed that stance. ″We′ve promised to make the process of this potential deal transparent，... so if there are any developments， we will let the press know.″ Some experts say both countries deny official talks because the U.S. isn′t quite ready. ″I think it′s because Washington hasn′t made up its mind yet. The U.S. needs to prepare for possible provocations from the North but it also needs to form public opinion within the U.S. and take care of Congress support.″ ″Watchers say the controversy will not go away easily. Some even say it′s only a matter of time before South Korea and the U.S. sit down for THAAD negotiations.″ Laah Hyun－kyung， Arirang News.″