Thousands rally in Seoul to protest US missile deployment

Thousands of people have rallied in the South Korean capital, Seoul, against the recent decision by the government to allow the deployment of an advanced US missile system in South Korea.

The rally was held on Thursday, when the demonstrators demanded the revocation of the government’s decision to approve the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

The system is declared to be targeted against perceived threats from North Korea.

Chanting slogans against the plan, the demonstrators voiced their grievances about the possible negative health and environmental impacts that may result from the deployment of the system.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye earlier declared the implementation of the plan as “inevitable,” citing a sense of urgency to ramp up missile defense capabilities against the North.

“The government will take all necessary measures to protect the national safety and our people’s lives from North Korean threats. Our military should be fully ready to strongly retaliate against any kind of North Korean provocations,” Park said.

The decision to have the system deployed, which was announced on July 8, has been met with opposition both in South Korea as well as outside the country.

China, which shares a border with North Korea, has been voicing its opposition to the deployment of the system for months, warning that it would destabilize regional security.

SS