DHAKA: The US and South Korea have agreed to deploy a controversial missile defense system, in the wake of intensifying threats from North Korea.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system will be deployed solely to counter the threat from Pyongyang, a statement said, reports the BBC.

It is unclear exactly where it would be sited and who would have final control.

Discussions began in February after North Korea fired a long range missile, but China has consistently objected.

The THAAD system would be able to detect North Korean missiles and shoot them down, but China says it would seriously damage the security interests of countries in the region.

The BBC’s Korea Correspondent Stephen Evans says that Beijing fears the system’s radars would be able to see far into its territory. China, the North’s closest ally, supported the most recent UN sanctions after North Korean nuclear and missile tests.

‘South Korea and the US have made the joint decision to deploy the THAAD system as part of a defensive action to guarantee the security of the Republic of Korea,’ South Korea’s defense ministry said on Friday.

It will be deployed ‘as soon as possible’.

BDST: 1358 HRS, JUL 08, 2016
RR