<div>South Korea and the US were set to open talks today on the possible deployment - vehemently opposed by China - of an advanced US missile defence system to counter the growing threat from North Korea.<br /><br />South Korea's defence ministry said initial discussions would focus on potential locations, as well as cost-sharing and a timeline for installation of the THAAD system.<br /><br />The system fires anti-ballistic missiles into the sky to smash into enemy missiles either inside or outside the Earth's atmosphere during their final flight phase.<br /><br />The interceptor missiles carry no warheads, instead relying on kinetic energy to destroy their targets.<br /><br />Seoul and Washington announced their intention to begin formal talks on its deployment following Pyongyang's long- range rocket launch on February 7, which was widely regarded as a covert ballistic missile test.<br /><br />The first official meeting has been on hold amid fierce opposition from China and Russia, with Beijing warning the deployment had the potential to "destroy" relations with Seoul.<div><br />China sees THAAD as a threat to the effectiveness of its own nuclear deterrent, arguing that it could be used to monitor Chinese missile launches as far inland as Xian in the northwest.<br /><br />The defence ministry in Seoul stressed today that any deployment would be solely aimed at countering North Korea's "increasing nuclear and missile threats".<br /><br />"North Korea has continued its nuclear tests and long- range missile provocations and defied South Korea and the international community's deterrence efforts," the ministry said.<br /><br />China is South Korea's most important trade partner and - in deference to Beijing's sensitivities on the issue - South Korea had previously declined to formally discuss bringing in THAAD.<br /><br />But North Korea's continued testing - and Beijing's previous resistance to imposing harsh sanctions on Pyongyang - triggered a change in Seoul's stance.<br /><br />There is already a THAAD battery stationed in Guam, and Japan, the US's other key ally in the region, is also considering taking on the system. <br /></div></div>
<div>South Korea and the US were set to open talks today on the possible deployment - vehemently opposed by China - of an advanced US missile defence system to counter the growing threat from North Korea.<br /><br />South Korea's defence ministry said initial discussions would focus on potential locations, as well as cost-sharing and a timeline for installation of the THAAD system.<br /><br />The system fires anti-ballistic missiles into the sky to smash into enemy missiles either inside or outside the Earth's atmosphere during their final flight phase.<br /><br />The interceptor missiles carry no warheads, instead relying on kinetic energy to destroy their targets.<br /><br />Seoul and Washington announced their intention to begin formal talks on its deployment following Pyongyang's long- range rocket launch on February 7, which was widely regarded as a covert ballistic missile test.<br /><br />The first official meeting has been on hold amid fierce opposition from China and Russia, with Beijing warning the deployment had the potential to "destroy" relations with Seoul.<div><br />China sees THAAD as a threat to the effectiveness of its own nuclear deterrent, arguing that it could be used to monitor Chinese missile launches as far inland as Xian in the northwest.<br /><br />The defence ministry in Seoul stressed today that any deployment would be solely aimed at countering North Korea's "increasing nuclear and missile threats".<br /><br />"North Korea has continued its nuclear tests and long- range missile provocations and defied South Korea and the international community's deterrence efforts," the ministry said.<br /><br />China is South Korea's most important trade partner and - in deference to Beijing's sensitivities on the issue - South Korea had previously declined to formally discuss bringing in THAAD.<br /><br />But North Korea's continued testing - and Beijing's previous resistance to imposing harsh sanctions on Pyongyang - triggered a change in Seoul's stance.<br /><br />There is already a THAAD battery stationed in Guam, and Japan, the US's other key ally in the region, is also considering taking on the system. <br /></div></div>