[Personal Analysis] If THAAD is deployed.....

China explicitly expressed regret over the issue of the THAAD deployment, with an argument that its security interest is infringed upon by possible surveillance activity that the THAAD would conduct. Considering South Korea’s relations with China and the degree of which both countries engage in economic interaction, it is difficult to overlook China’s concern. As the THAAD agreement comes closer to the final authorization, Seoul must establish a set of conditions to alleviate potential actions that would adversely affect South Korea – China relationship.

Therefore, here  are some of my personal suggestion on what South Korea should do, if they were to deploy THAAD.

   1) Location of the THAAD installation in the rear area of the Peninsula

To compromise with China’s strong opposition to implementing the THAAD system, it is understood that China’s main concern is the  THAAD’s range of detection. The system comes along with detecting equipment, X-Band Radar(AN/TPY-2), that covers the range from 600km to 1,800km. Hence, what I would suggest is to locate the equipment in the southerner area of the Peninsula. There are four locations for candidates: Pyong-taek, Won-ju, Dae-gu, and Busan. Therefore, if THAAD were to be  deployed in Daegu or Busan to express that it is exclusively detecting the North strategic activities, China might be understanding about South Korea's rationale in employing THAAD.

   2) Flexibility on the operation-authority of the THAAD

Eventhough the government employs the system, the control authority would be at the US force’s maneuver. In order to assure that the system is solely aiming at North Korea, the ROK-US alliance may divide up the responsibility over operating the THAAD. During the normal condition, the force may jointly conduct the operation of the system whereas ROK force takes the full responsibility at a provocation-time phase.

   3) Restricting the capability of the THAAD

If above two conditions are not met due to political issues, the government may ask for rearranging the THAAD’s capability, redesigning the range of which it could intercept the incoming missiles as well as detection range. However, the suggestion is highly linked with technical issue where consultation with the maker company, Lokheed Martin, is required as well as with the United States Forces.