South Korea says THAAD missile shield ‘not negotiable’ with China

South Korea has stated the potential operation of a controversial American-made missile defend is “not negotiable,” pushing again at China’s efforts to carry President Yoon Suk Yeol to his predecessor’s pledge to freeze its deployment.

Choices on the deployment of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Terminal Excessive-Altitude Space Protection system was a matter of South Korea’s self-defense, a senior presidential official instructed reporters Thursday in Seoul. The Yoon administration is accelerating efforts to “normalize” the operation of the U.S. base within the southern metropolis of Seongju that deployed the THAAD system, the official stated.