[Surprise Placement of THAAD Equipment] Angry Seongju Residents, "A Bolt out of the Blue.. Stop It No Matter What"

[경향신문] When news that the launchers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles had arrived at the Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi-do spread on March 7, the residents near the golf course in Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the final destination of the missiles, could not conceal their surprise. The group of residents against the placement of the missiles suggested that they could break away from their previous stance of a "peaceful response" and take physical action. This day, Im Sun-bun (64), the head of the Women's Group of Soseong-ri, Chojeon-myeon, Seongju said, "We are busy because it's melon season, but the majority are nervous saying that they can't concentrate on their work after hearing the news that the THAAD equipment arrived in Korea." A (81, female), a village resident said, "The majority of the residents are just daring the government to try (and bring the missiles)." She added, "We spent our whole life laboring with our backs bent over trying to support our children.... We thought now maybe we could finally relax, but what is this, out of the blue? Even if I die here, I will block them from bringing the missiles into the golf course."

The Seongju Committee for the Withdrawal of the Placement of the THAAD Missiles and other citizens groups against the THAAD in Seongju and Gimcheon are also expected to adjust the level of their response according to the changes in the residents' position. One member of a citizens group said, "If the US Forces Korea transports the THAAD equipment by land, most of the residents say they will block the roads and stop them from passing through. Thus, from what I know, recently, the citizens' groups have also decided to block the THAAD missiles by any means possible and have planned a physical response."

Kim Hang-gon, the administrative chief of Seongju-gun said, "The residents are very nervous after the government rushed to place the THAAD missiles. The government needs to give us answers on projects to support the residents so that the people will not grow restless. I will meet with the residents of Soseong-ri this week and explain the current situation and seek their understanding on the placement of the THAAD missiles."

The Gimcheon citizens' group decided to hold a candlelight demonstration against the placement of the THAAD system with over a thousand residents at Peace Square before Gimcheon Station on the afternoon of March 8. Residents are taking part in a relay one-man demonstration near the town hall demanding that the government withdraw the decision to place the THAAD system.