Deployment of U.S. missile defense system to South Korea to have adverse effect on global security - Russian foreign ministry

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Washington is using North Korea’s policy aimed at developing the country’s nuclear and missile programs as a pretext for deploying its missile defense system to South Korea, such plans may have an adverse impact on international security, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "Reports on the decision of the United States and South Korea to begin formal talks on the possible deployment of the U.S. THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems to South Korea trigger concern," the ministry said. "This move is presented as a response to North Korea’s nuclear test held on January 6 and the launch of a carrier rocket on February 7." The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the policy chosen by Pyongyang in the missile and nuclear spheres has a serious negative impact on the security of the countries in the region, primarily North Korea itself, and disregard for international law demonstrated by it cannot but arouse strong condemnation. "At the same time, we state that these events are used by Washington to expand the geography of deploying the U.S. global missile defense system, this time by deploying its THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems to South Korea," the ministry added. "The emergence of elements of the U.S. global missile defense system in the region characterized by a rather difficult security situation could provoke the arms race in northeast Asia and will further complicate the solution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "This once again proves the rightness of our stance, which lies in the fact that the precondition for resolving the situation on the Korean Peninsula is the creation of the comprehensive peace system in northeast Asia that would take into account the security interests of all countries in this region." The Russian Foreign Ministry added that in broader terms "this step could only enhance the destructive impact of the U.S. global missile defense system on international security and strategic stability." "We hope that Washington and Seoul will carefully weigh the possible consequences that can result from such developments and draw appropriate conclusions," the ministry said. The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that this stance had been conveyed to the United States and South Korea through diplomatic channels. Read more