MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The deployment of four additional launchers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea might happen shortly, Chung Eui-yong, the head of the country's Presidential National Security Office, said on Thursday.
"(We) anticipate that the deployment of four additional launchers will be completed in the near future," Chung said at a parliamentary budget committee session, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.
In July 2016, Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy the THAAD system in South Korea's Seongju County amid growing tensions spurred by North Korea's ballistic and nuclear tests. The THAAD system is designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles at the terminal incoming stage.
On July 28, North Korea conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in a month. South Korean President Moon Jae-in stated that in response, South Korea would install additional THAAD launchers at a US military base in South Korea.