South Korean Government Continues to Do Nothing to Stop Blockade of THAAD Site

Via a reader tip comes this update on the status of the THAAD site in Seongju:

Tractors block the road to the site of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery

The setup of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery from the U.S. in southwestern Korea has been on hold since September last year as locals and activists block access to the site.

“There’s been no progress in the construction of THAAD facilities, as well as the quarters for U.S. troops,” who are to operate the battery, a military spokesman told reporters Monday.

Seoul and Washington agreed in September 2016 to deploy THAAD interceptor launchers at a former golf course in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The U.S. Forces Korea brought two launchers last April and four more last September.

A USFK source claimed the South Korean government appears to be neglecting the deployment, which has been widely unpopular.

A steel barricade set up by activist groups and locals last April still blocks the road near the THAAD deployment site.

According to police, about 10 locals check passing vehicles in tag teams of two around the clock to block any USFK vehicles or trucks carrying equipment.

Although this is highly illegal, police seem to have done nothing .

“We’ll resolutely clamp down on illegal demonstrations,” a police spokesman said. “But it’s our principle not to stoke upheavals.”

Police have drastically reduced their presence at the site. About 300 troops from four police companies were deployed last September, but now only some 80 are on standby some 4 km away.

The USFK is reduced to running the THAAD battery as if in a field maneuver, on generators fueled by diesel flown in by helicopter.  [Chosun Ilbo]

You can read more at the link, but resupplying the site by helicopter seems to me to be riskier than by a ground approach.  If a helicopter was to crash I wonder if that will change the situation on the ground any?

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not an expert
not an expert
6 years ago

Who is surprised that Moon’s rhetoric about rule of law is empty? The government’s refusal to enforce its own traffic laws and keep public streets open is undermining the alliance and defense of South Korea.

Doug
Doug
6 years ago

Get out of Korea they don’t want us. Let The dictator Kim Jong Un and the communist Red Chinese have it. They are now to big for their britches.

Smokes
Smokes
6 years ago

I will give the Koreans this, while the THAAD issue is not one I favor in opposing they sure do commit to their protests unlike certain countries where they slap a # in front of some saying and bitch about it online. 😛

Mcgeehee
Mcgeehee
6 years ago

The green trailers look to be manure spreaders — of which I tried to determine some significance. Could be symbolic or could be some feeble attempt at germ warfare (if H1N1 laced pig manure), doubtful. Most likely, those things are just heavy as shit when full. Pun? I think not.

J6Junkie
J6Junkie
6 years ago

The rule of law only applies to ex-presidents named Lee and Park.

Rascal1212
Rascal1212
6 years ago

It’s to bad that such a beautiful country is a nation of hypocracy. Let KJU have it. He will cure the bs.

not an expert
not an expert
6 years ago

Really it’s not that hard. Arrest anybody on the bridge who does not leave then impound the equipment. Trump should send bills for the heli-lifts to the ROK.

setnaffa
setnaffa
6 years ago

Seoul has no problem tear-gassing unions fighting for higher wages; but they seem downright supportive of Emperor Xi…

Flyingsword
Flyingsword
6 years ago

Funny commie moon sent almost all the combat police to freedom bridge where South Korea citizens were blocking the road to prevent the norks from coming to the olympics, but commie moon won’t do anything at the THAAD site…..wonder why?

J6Junkie
J6Junkie
6 years ago

Emjoy the generator noise and diesel pollution stinktown!

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