South Korea deploys U.S. anti-missile launchers amid clashes with protesters

[webfact]

South Korea deploys U.S. anti-missile launchers amid clashes with protesters

 

People scuffle with riot policemen during a protest opposing the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Seongju, South Korea, September 7, 2017. Lee Sang-hak/Yonhap via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - Protesters clashed with thousands of police at a South Korean village on Thursday as Seoul deployed the four remaining launchers of the U.S. anti-missile THAAD system designed to protect against mounting threats from North Korea.

 

The South's defence ministry confirmed on Wednesday the launchers would be installed on a former golf course near Seongju City some 217 km (135 miles) south of Seoul. Two launchers and a powerful radar are already in place at the site as part of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system.

 

Early on Monday, around 8,000 South Korean police gathered in the village of Soseong-ri, along the only road that leads up to the golf course, to break up a blockade of around 300 villagers and civic groups opposed to THAAD.

 

Some 38 protesters were wounded in tussles with police, with 21 sent to hospital, according to a Seongju Fire Station official. None of the injuries were life-threatening, said Kim Jin-hoon.

 

The Soseong-ri residents say they do not have a political motive but are against the deployment of THAAD as their lives have been disrupted by the dozens of military helicopters, buses, trucks that travel through the small melon-farming town of 80 residents.

 

The decision to deploy THAAD, designed to shoot down short- to medium-range missiles mid-flight, has drawn strong objections from China. It believes the system's radar could be used to look deeply into its territory and will upset the regional security balance.

 

South Korea's defence ministry has said the deployment is necessary due to the imminent threat from North Korea, which has launched numerous missiles since South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office in early May.

 

Pyongyang also conducted its sixth nuclear test on Sunday, prompting vehement reprimands from neighbouring Japan and the United States.

 

According to a United Nations draft resolution seen by Reuters on Wednesday, the United States wants the United Nations to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban the country's exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean labourers as part of new sanctions on the North.

 

(Reporting by Christine Kim; Additional reporting by Yuna Park; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-09-07

[smedly]

I think it is important to understand that this is a defensive act not offensive - there is a massive difference between launching missiles at other countries and taking steps to protect yourself against them.

 

Who is the aggressor in this North South Korea issue, certainly not the south 

[craigt3365]

5 hours ago, smedly said:

Who is the aggressor in this North South Korea issue, certainly not the south 

Spot on. Many here don't seem to understand that.

[bkkgriz]

I was stationed in South Korea for a year. There were a lot of protests directed at the US and its military presence. The majority of protesters were university students who still lived at home. They wanted the US out. However, once I started teaching there, I found many of the adults, the people who actually owned things, were quite happy that the US was there. 

[natway09]

If it was not for the US presence South Korea would be speaking Mandarin .

I am not a great one for thinking the US can or should be the worlds policeman but

this is a tricky one with the North & unfortunately we have 2 idiots  leading the bands

[Foozool]

20 hours ago, bkkgriz said:

I was stationed in South Korea for a year. There were a lot of protests directed at the US and its military presence. The majority of protesters were university students who still lived at home. They wanted the US out. However, once I started teaching there, I found many of the adults, the people who actually owned things, were quite happy that the US was there. 

Communists always have tried to reach their goals by using students, farmers and factory workers. This is their technic to win the government by lies and unreal promises such as sunny bright future and happiness to poor people. 

More or less still happening around SE Asia. They still try to take over some countries by the same way. However the communism is dying, but using the same technic is still useful.    

[RuamRudy]

7 minutes ago, Foozool said:

Communists always have tried to reach their goals by using students, farmers and factory workers. This is their technic to win the government by lies and unreal promises such as sunny bright future and happiness to poor people. 

More or less still happening around SE Asia. They still try to take over some countries by the same way. However the communism is dying, but using the same technic is still useful.    

The evils of communism are on the wane indeed, suffocated by the evils of this corrupt form of capitalism that is being spread around the world. Look at Samsung or Lotte and see just how how much South Korea has been infected by the mendacious, corrupt economy that is dressed up as the free market. The old, with a life of back breaking work for meagre returns behind them have had the stuffing knocked out of them by the system - that is why it is only the young idealists who have the energy to stand up to the global elite. Sadly, they are no match for them when so many of their brethren have turned kapo.

[canuckamuck]

13 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

The evils of communism are on the wane indeed, suffocated by the evils of this corrupt form of capitalism that is being spread around the world. Look at Samsung or Lotte and see just how how much South Korea has been infected by the mendacious, corrupt economy that is dressed up as the free market. The old, with a life of back breaking work for meagre returns behind them have had the stuffing knocked out of them by the system - that is why it is only the young idealists who have the energy to stand up to the global elite. Sadly, they are no match for them when so many of their brethren have turned kapo.

That's what people say after being drip fed Marxism for the last few decades...  All western ideals are bad, capitalism is bad, Socialism is no threat anymore.

[Foozool]

17 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

The evils of communism are on the wane indeed, suffocated by the evils of this corrupt form of capitalism that is being spread around the world. Look at Samsung or Lotte and see just how how much South Korea has been infected by the mendacious, corrupt economy that is dressed up as the free market. The old, with a life of back breaking work for meagre returns behind them have had the stuffing knocked out of them by the system - that is why it is only the young idealists who have the energy to stand up to the global elite. Sadly, they are no match for them when so many of their brethren have turned kapo

I'm sorry to say that, but corruption in SK has nothing to do with capitalism, but has a lot to do with Koreans. 

[RuamRudy]

7 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

That's what people say after being drip fed Marxism for the last few decades...  All western ideals are bad, capitalism is bad, Socialism is no threat anymore.

I didn't point the finger anywhere - and I certainly didn't suggest that free market capitalism was bad. However, there is nowhere on earth that allows free market capitalism, because cronyism and corruption have stolen the show. But we keep swallowing the lie of the American Dream or whatever  myth each respective country fools its population with in order to keep them compliant and hard working, but the truth is that our potential as individuals will, most likely, never be achieved because it would require that those with the power and the money would need to slacken their arthritic grip a bit. 

[stevenl]

On 9/7/2017 at 8:53 AM, smedly said:

I think it is important to understand that this is a defensive act not offensive - there is a massive difference between launching missiles at other countries and taking steps to protect yourself against them.

 

Who is the aggressor in this North South Korea issue, certainly not the south 

Both. They have bee provoking eachother for a long, long time now. NK is for sure to blame, but so are others involved, and putting the blame squarly on NK is simply wrong and shows a very one sided point of view.

 

Yes, there is a difference between launching missiles and taking steps to protect yourself. One of the results of good protection is that launching without fear for retaliation becomes a reality.

[craigt3365]

2 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

The evils of communism are on the wane indeed, suffocated by the evils of this corrupt form of capitalism that is being spread around the world. Look at Samsung or Lotte and see just how how much South Korea has been infected by the mendacious, corrupt economy that is dressed up as the free market. The old, with a life of back breaking work for meagre returns behind them have had the stuffing knocked out of them by the system - that is why it is only the young idealists who have the energy to stand up to the global elite. Sadly, they are no match for them when so many of their brethren have turned kapo.

Evils of corrupt capitalism being spread around the world?  Too funny. Very strange post.

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, RuamRudy said:

Well, putting aside the overt racism of your comment, the fact is that capitalism facilitates the corruption in SK, as it does in every other capitalist society. 

Maybe we should focus on the topic? Way off topic.

[tonbridgebrit]

http://www.euronews.com/2017/09/07/protesters-injured-as-thaad-deployed


The above link is what most of the media doesn't want you to see. The truth, lots of people in South Korea do know that THAAD is one giant profit-making scheme for the US campany/companies that produces it, and THAAD basically de-stabilizes Korea.
And below is a photo that says so much.

[Ron19]

An off topic post has been removed.

[tonbridgebrit]

And here we see more protestors. The South Korean government will not be able to keep this quite. Protests against THAAD are not actually new.

"The people, united, will never be defeated".
"They set out to divide us, and that's the biggest reason for their victory".

[smedly]

36 minutes ago, tonbridgebrit said:

http://www.euronews.com/2017/09/07/protesters-injured-as-thaad-deployed


The above link is what most of the media doesn't want you to see. The truth, lots of people in South Korea do know that THAAD is one giant profit-making scheme for the US campany/companies that produces it, and THAAD basically de-stabilizes Korea.
And below is a photo that says so much.

there is nothing in the article or from any other source I can find to back up your post, I thought the reason the village had objections was because of the environmental impact and also perhaps increasing the threat level for their area if NK decided to launch an attack - they are now possibly a first strike target  

[tonbridgebrit]

19 minutes ago, smedly said:

there is nothing in the article or from any other source I can find to back up your post, I thought the reason the village had objections was because of the environmental impact and also perhaps increasing the threat level for their area if NK decided to launch an attack - they are now possibly a first strike target  

"Smedly",  you yourself are accepting that these people don't want the environmental impact on their village. Also, yes, with THAAD near them, they are now a first strike target. If I was North Korea, if I was going to launch a mass strike, the first thing I would do is hit all the places that have got THAAD.


These people, NIMBY, yes, Not In My BackYard.
How about we don't have this stuff (THAAD) in anybody's backyard ??

[stevenl]

35 minutes ago, smedly said:

there is nothing in the article or from any other source I can find to back up your post, I thought the reason the village had objections was because of the environmental impact and also perhaps increasing the threat level for their area if NK decided to launch an attack - they are now possibly a first strike target  

Also other reasons: threat of economic sanctions by Bejing, health concerns (radiation). And of course both China and Russia feel the US is using this to increase its influence + military presence in the area.

[smedly]

33 minutes ago, tonbridgebrit said:

"Smedly",  you yourself are accepting that these people don't want the environmental impact on their village. Also, yes, with THAAD near them, they are now a first strike target. If I was North Korea, if I was going to launch a mass strike, the first thing I would do is hit all the places that have got THAAD.


These people, NIMBY, yes, Not In My BackYard.
How about we don't have this stuff (THAAD) in anybody's backyard ??

right so we agree the reason then and it has nothing to do with financials

 

as for not having this stuff in anybody's backyard, well if N. Korea would stop launching missiles and rockets and threatening S. Korea then there would be no need for this "DEFENCE" system

 

The reality is that our world is full of nasty weapons and has a sordid history of war and conflict, if we could wave a magic wand and make it all stop that would be great - but unfortunately neither you or I have a magic wand.

 

If you are totally anti everything military - war - weapons - arms etc then just say so instead of posting this crap that has little to do with anything apart from your own personal stance on things which although is up to you contributes nothing here   

[smedly]

30 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Also other reasons: threat of economic sanctions by Bejing, health concerns (radiation). And of course both China and Russia feel the US is using this to increase its influence + military presence in the area.

I don't expect China and Russia to say anything else, don't underestimate Putin as I have said before I believe Putin is assisting N.Korea in their nuclear development and would like nothing better than to see the US and allies get involved in conflict there while Russia sits back and observes laughing at what they started - they might even get involved as they have done in Syria  

[Foozool]

Russia and China enjoying this theater by NK. NK has begun working on nuclear bombs years ago. We should thank to Mr Muammar Gaddafi for all information he reported to US regarding NK nuclear program that was supported by Pakistan scientists. Pakistan is a US allied but they tried to stab the US from behind and still will do that if they can by supporting Taliban. 

SK economy was built by getting support from the US. Otherwise they still would be just like people of NK. Nothing more than either poor farmers or military men. Look at them now, Their products being sold in all over the world. But of course they don't like Americans now because they got everything they needed to become one of industrial countries with advance technology. 

 

[Morch]

2 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

"Smedly",  you yourself are accepting that these people don't want the environmental impact on their village. Also, yes, with THAAD near them, they are now a first strike target. If I was North Korea, if I was going to launch a mass strike, the first thing I would do is hit all the places that have got THAAD.


These people, NIMBY, yes, Not In My BackYard.
How about we don't have this stuff (THAAD) in anybody's backyard ??

 

How about you decide which nonsense argument you're pushing?

First it was THAAD being a "giant profit-making scheme", now it's an environmental issue. Guess anything goes. Love the bit about how THAAD "basically de-stabilizes Korea" - no need for explanations, just toss them words around.

 

There were demonstrations, yes. There was no coverup, it was reported. Just how far spread and representative these demonstrations are can be argued, though. Guess a whole lot of South Koreans did not demonstrate as they aren't daft.

 

Daft would be a reasoning which promotes a unilateral defensive disarmament as means of appeasing a hostile neighbor.

[craigt3365]

4 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

http://www.euronews.com/2017/09/07/protesters-injured-as-thaad-deployed


The above link is what most of the media doesn't want you to see. The truth, lots of people in South Korea do know that THAAD is one giant profit-making scheme for the US campany/companies that produces it, and THAAD basically de-stabilizes Korea.
And below is a photo that says so much.

This is all over the MSM. No conspiracy theories needed.

 

 

So 300 people is "lots". This deployment was approved by the Korean government.

 

Nice try. LOL

[craigt3365]

3 hours ago, Morch said:

 

How about you decide which nonsense argument you're pushing?

First it was THAAD being a "giant profit-making scheme", now it's an environmental issue. Guess anything goes. Love the bit about how THAAD "basically de-stabilizes Korea" - no need for explanations, just toss them words around.

 

There were demonstrations, yes. There was no coverup, it was reported. Just how far spread and representative these demonstrations are can be argued, though. Guess a whole lot of South Koreans did not demonstrate as they aren't daft.

 

Daft would be a reasoning which promotes a unilateral defensive disarmament as means of appeasing a hostile neighbor.

Well put. One issue I read about was misinformation being spread about issues with radiation from THAAD. One of the big concerns for these villagers.

 

Probably was posted by RT. LOL

[Morch]

24 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Well put. One issue I read about was misinformation being spread about issues with radiation from THAAD. One of the big concerns for these villagers.

 

Probably was posted by RT. LOL

 

The environmental concerns related to the system's radar are perhaps genuine. Such concerns were aired in other countries and sites. Can't rightly say how much danger it represents, or how this stacks vs. the protection afforded.

 

[tonbridgebrit]

7 hours ago, smedly said:

right so we agree the reason then and it has nothing to do with financials

 

as for not having this stuff in anybody's backyard, well if N. Korea would stop launching missiles and rockets and threatening S. Korea then there would be no need for this "DEFENCE" system

 

The reality is that our world is full of nasty weapons and has a sordid history of war and conflict, if we could wave a magic wand and make it all stop that would be great - but unfortunately neither you or I have a magic wand.

 

If you are totally anti everything military - war - weapons - arms etc then just say so instead of posting this crap that has little to do with anything apart from your own personal stance on things which although is up to you contributes nothing here   

You come along here, and say that I'm posting crap, and I notice the usual Washington drum-beaters have clicked 'like' on your post. I say to you, don't believe in that 'crap' that most of the media is trying to tell you. There's people who know what's really going on, but they still want to bang Washington's drum.

This isn't just about a bunch of Korean villagers who don't want THAAD near their doorstep. There's loads of people who simply don't want THAAD.

Here is another link. http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1909245



The pro-Washington media doesn't want people to know how lots of Koreans are against THAAD.

A picture says a thousand words.

[smedly]

54 minutes ago, tonbridgebrit said:

You come along here, 



The pro-Washington media doesn't want people to know how lots of Koreans are against THAAD.

A picture says a thousand words.

Neil Armstrong left footprints on the moon when he never got there - right lol 

[hawker9000]

On ‎9‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 0:37 AM, craigt3365 said:

Spot on. Many here don't seem to understand that.

Some really just don't get that.  All they can understand is that even the deployment of defensive missiles angers fatboy (which is no surprise, since they instantly devalue his enormous investment in offensive weapons).   And understanding that anger they are simply intimidated by his threats and his bombast.  They are protesting out of the very fear fatboy works ceaselessly to instill.   By voicing and demonstrating their fear and successful intimidation, they embolden fatboy and are therefore part of the problem, not the solution.  It's a good thing that they can protest and express themselves; it's a bad thing that anyone should take them seriously.  Fear and appeasement just encourage thugs like fatboy.  It's always been that way.   Grown-ups with vertebrae should know better.

 

 

 

[craigt3365]

8 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

You come along here, and say that I'm posting crap, and I notice the usual Washington drum-beaters have clicked 'like' on your post. I say to you, don't believe in that 'crap' that most of the media is trying to tell you. There's people who know what's really going on, but they still want to bang Washington's drum.

This isn't just about a bunch of Korean villagers who don't want THAAD near their doorstep. There's loads of people who simply don't want THAAD.

Here is another link. http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1909245



The pro-Washington media doesn't want people to know how lots of Koreans are against THAAD.

A picture says a thousand words.

Stop with the trolling. This story is all across the media. Pro-Washington? Give it a rest.