U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) said on Friday that a missile defense system agreement reached between the United States and South Korea was a recognition of North Korea’s “increasingly belligerent” behavior.
The two countries agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to help South Korea defend against threats posed by North Korea.
Gardner introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in May that would support the deployment of THAAD to enhance missile defense technology and protect the 28,500 U.S. service members stationed in South Korea.
“The deployment of THAAD is recognition of North Korea’s increasingly belligerent behavior and will intensify our defense capabilities in South Korea to protect the tens of thousands of Americans who serve in the region as well as our allies,” Gardner said. “It’s reassuring that the Obama administration is finally taking steps to move away from its failed policy of ‘strategic patience’ toward Pyongyang. I call on the Administration to further implement my North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act and pursue additional military and missile defense cooperation with our allies South Korea and Japan to deter the threat from Pyongyang.”
U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called the THAAD missile defense system partnership a welcome announcement.
“It serves as a reminder of the strength of our alliance,” Thornberry said. “This is yet another step in the increasing interoperability of our missile defense systems. Our two countries will not permit the regime in North Korea to blackmail us or our allies with the world’s most dangerous weapons.”