South Korea, US delay talks on missile shield

On January 6, North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, a move that outraged Washington and prompted Congress to hit back with more sanctions against the country.

North Korea has threatened to carry out a “pre-emptive strike” against the Blue House, the official residence of the South Korean president, and U.S. military bases in the Asia-Pacific region.

The latest derogatory diatribe was a response to a speech Park delivered to South Korea’s parliament Tuesday, warning that North Korea must either change its ways or face the collapse of its regime. He now works as an activist at a North Korea human rights organization. The U.S., China and others are also considering United Nations sanctions.

The standoff between Washington and Pyongyang further escalated on February 7, after North Korea successfully launched a long-range missile allegedly carrying an earth observation satellite. The Minjoo Party chairman said, “The government may have reservations about the deployment of THAAD batteries, but the North’s nuclear test and missile launch have made the threat feel very real”. Last month, it sent a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber over South Korea following the North’s nuclear test.

US military officials have said the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system is needed in South Korea, but Seoul had been reluctant to openly discuss its deployment given the risk of damaging ties with China, its biggest trade partner.

China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warned Monday the deployment of THAAD should not be used as a front to “undermine China’s own legitimate (security) interests”. China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was reportedly skeptical of the accuracy of the wording ‘could be destroyed, ‘ but expressed hopes the THAAD issue would not affect long-term bilateral ties.

The US and South Korea have reportedly worked out a deal in which Washington will provide Seoul with the ant-missile system.

Brian Myers, an expert on North Korean propaganda at South Korea’s Dongseo University, suggests that young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may either not remember or not care that his country once carefully tailored its propaganda to influence millions of potential leftist sympathizers in the South.

“On the worldwide stage, the US talks about peace”, he said.