[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 7 that the deployment of a THAAD missile defense system has been completed.

The announcement came soon after the US Forces Korea transported four additional THAAD rocket launchers into its new base in Seongju, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul, despite fierce protests by local residents and activists.

Thousands of police were mobilized to help clear the way for a convoy of USFK vehicles carrying the launchers, construction and other related materials.

“(The allies) completed the tentative deployment of the THAAD system today, as (they) agreed to additionally deploy the four remaining launchers,” the ministry said in a statement.

It’s part of measures to protect the life and security of the people from the North Korea’s ever-improving nuclear and missile programs, added the ministry.

But the issue of permanently deploying the THAAD equipment in South Korea will be decided depending on the results of a “thorough and fair” environmental impact assessment, it stressed.

By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)