South Korea to ‘Reset’ relations with China as it decides to augment deployment of THAAD air defence systems

Seoul: – The increasing number of missile tests by North Korea poses a serious threat to South Korean security. In this scenario, South Korea will be purchasing additional THAAD air defence systems and deploying them in the country. For this, relations with China also will be ‘Reset’. Yoon Suk-Yeol, leading the Presidential contest in South Korea, made this announcement. At the same time, Yeol also indicated that efforts would be made to get South Korea inducted into the QUAD cooperation formed by India, the United States, Japan and Australia.

The incumbent South Korean ruling party and President Moon Jae-In have adopted an amicable towards China. In 2017, South Korea decided to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) air defence system of the United States. China objected to the South Korean purchase and stopped economic assistance. After that, Moon Jae-in softened his stand towards China. At the same time, Moon Jae-in flatly refused new THAAD deployments, appealed for participation in the US Global Missile Shield, and joined the military front with the United States and Japan.

The South Korean President adopted this stand to avoid displeasing China and continue receiving economic assistance. But his opponent and Presidential candidate of the People’s Power Party, Yoon Suk-Yeol, has criticised the policies for Chinese appeasement. Kim Sung Han, the security advisor of Yeol, gave this information while speaking to an international news channel. He also announced that if Yeol won the election, additional THAAD systems would be purchased and deployed in the country.

The promises made by Moon Jae-in to China will be broken. China initiated economic action against South Korea despite refusing the US THAAD air defence system. Kim said during the interview that there would be no compromise on the security of the country, fearing an economic backlash from China. At the same time, Kim clarified that the need for deployment of the THAAD systems would be explained to China. Kim added that the ambiguity in policy would not be allowed to affect the security of South Korea.

There will be no changes in the North Korean nuclear and missile programs despite whatever proposals presented by South Korea. Joining the US Global Missile shield will be considered to strengthen the security of South Korea. Kim said that at the same time, South Korea would make efforts to join the military front formed by the United States and Japan and also try and get included in the QUAD cooperation between India, the United States, Japan and Australia.

The Presidential elections in South Korea are scheduled to be held on the 9th of March. It is claimed that there will be significant changes to the South Korean foreign policy if Yoon Suk Yeol wins the elections. Since the last few months, Japan and Taiwan have started taking a stand against Chinese aggression. If South Korea joined them, it could increase the concerns for China.