SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Seoul pay for the THAAD advanced U.S. missile defense system would be an “impossible option,” a top foreign policy adviser to South Korean presidential frontrunner Moon Jae-in said on Friday.

FILE PHOTO - A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo

Trump told Reuters in an interview on Thursday he wants South Korea to pay for the $1 billion Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

“Even if we purchase THAAD, its main operation would be in the hands of the United States,” said Kim Ki-jung, a foreign policy adviser to Moon and professor at Seoul’s Yonsei University.

“So purchasing it would be an impossible option. That was our topic when we were considering the options,” Kim said.

Moon is leading polls by a wide margin ahead of a May 9 election to replace impeached former President Park Geun-hye, whose government agreed last year to deploy THAAD.

Lee Ji-soo, a spokesman for Moon, said campaign officials were aware of the reported comments by Trump and deliberating his demand that South Korea pay for THAAD but added that there was no official comment from Moon’s camp yet.

Trump, in the interview as he prepared to mark 100 days in office on Saturday, also accused another ally, Saudi Arabia, of not paying enough for the U.S. defense umbrella.

Trump’s comments harked back to his populist campaign rhetoric and Bonnie Glaser, an Asia expert at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, said they betrayed a lack of strategic thinking.

“Trump’s remarks reflect his persistent desire for allies to pay more for their defense,” she said. “As far as their impact on South Korea’s election, they will likely boost support for Moon, and if he wins, it will make it harder for the U.S. to sustain a hardline policy against North Korea. So Trump’s remarks don’t seem very strategic to me.”

Trump’s comments provoked some consternation among Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Congress.

Congressional aides noted the THAAD deployment came after years of discussions, in which South Korea took a great deal of convincing and then suffered economic retaliation from China.

“It just seems completely tone deaf ... That system isn’t just good for South Korea, it’s also good for us,” one aide said, adding that it would also defend U.S. troops in South Korea and deter North Korea from targeting U.S. territory.

The U.S. military started THAAD deployment in early March, despite strong opposition from China, which says the system’s radar can be used to spy into its territory. The deployment has also prompted a North Korean warning of retaliation.

South Korea said on Wednesday major elements of the system were moved into the planned site in Seonjgu in the south of the country and would be fully operational by the end of this year.

That system will have initial operational capability “very soon,” a Pentagon spokesman told reporters on Friday.

The Pentagon has called THAAD a “critical measure” to defend South Koreans and U.S. forces and the top U.S. commander in the Pacific, Admiral Harry Harris, said the system would be operational “in coming days.”

Seonjgu residents have protested, citing safety fears and its potential to be a wartime target.

The United States currently has six THAAD batteries worldwide and a former U.S. State Department official, who estimated the cost of each at about $1.2 billion, said Washington would not want to sell THAAD to Seoul.

“We want to retain THAAD in our arsenal, consistent with all other U.S. weapons systems deployed on the Korean peninsula. We own them. We retain them. We have the right to redeploy them,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. </s> The Ministry of Unification announced Sunday that it would pay up to 1 billion won ($860,000) -- eclipsing the previous maximum of 250 million won.

A bill outlining the changes is set to be submitted and would offer substantial financial rewards for those able to provide intelligence and knowledge, which could enhance South Korea's security, according to the ministry.

The bill will be considered in the National Assembly between February 28 and March 9, a Unification Ministry official said.

The move comes at a time of simmering tension over South Korea's controversial THAAD missile system, which came a step closer to reality last week. The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, is designed to shoot down short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, such as those North Korea claims to own. South Korea reached an agreement with Lotte international over an approved land swap last week, according to an official with the country's defense ministry. The deal between international conglomerate Lotte and the South Korean government will allow the THAAD system to be deployed on the military's preferred site. The US and the South Korea are planning to deploy the system by the end of this year During his recent trip to South Korea, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said his country was determined to defend South Korea against the "evolving North Korean threat." But speaking at a news conference last week, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said it would "severely disrupt regional strategic balance." "The Chinese side has stressed repeatedly that we understand the legitimate concerns of relevant parties in safeguarding their security, however one country's security cannot be pursued at the expense of (anothers)," he said. Both North Korea and China have repeatedly stated they are strongly against the deployment of THAAD. On February 3, North Korea accused the US and South Korea of pushing the Korean peninsula to the "brink of nuclear war" with the deployment. In a statement, the rogue state alleged the THAAD system was part of an offensive strategy "for a preemptive attack on the North." But Mattis said Pyongyang's aggressive behavior is why THAAD was necessary. Meanwhile China has consistently opposed the missile system's deployment, saying it could jeopardize their "legitimate national security interests," according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi. John Delury, associate professor of international studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, previously told CNN that Beijing was doing "everything in its power to prevent the deployment of the defense system." </s> THE South Korean government on Wednesday moved to suspend the controversial deployment of a US missile intercept system in the country, putting Seoul on a potential collision course with Washington’s regional defence strategy.

The presidential office announced that the further rolling out of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system would be frozen until an environmental impact assessment is finished.

It follows a political outcry over allegations that the new liberal president, Moon Jae-in, who was elected only last month, was kept in the dark by defence officials about how much equipment had already been allowed into the country.

The US views the THAAD’s installation as vital to protect East Asia, and tens of thousands of stationed American troops, from the threat of missile attacks from North Korea.

But its planned deployment has not only infuriated Beijing, which fears the encroachment of THAAD’s powerful surveillance system on its territory, but it has bitterly divided South Korean public opinion. </s> Seoul (CNN) South Korea's new government has suspended the deployment of a controversial US missile defense system that strained relations with China and angered North Korea.

An official told CNN Wednesday that while Seoul will not withdraw two launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system that are already in action, four additional launchers will not be deployed until "a full-blown environmental impact assessment is completed."

During the recent election campaign, South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for the THAAD roll out to be halted and any decision about its future to be put before the country's parliament.

Deployment of THAAD was agreed by his predecessor -- disgraced President Park Geun-hye -- and Washington. The system was declared partially operational a week before Moon was elected.

At the time, analysts said this was an attempt to force Moon's hand and make it difficult for his government to withdraw the system from South Korea.

The THAAD roll-out has been vociferously opposed by China, which fears it could be used to spy on its own defense and nuclear deterrent systems.

THAAD was not due to be fully operational until the end of the year. The environmental assessment -- even if it ultimately permits deployment to continue -- will likely delay this to at least 2018.

While this means it cannot act against the type of intermediate-range missiles North Korea has been testing in recent months, THAAD also includes a sophisticated radar that will fit into an overlapping series of US missile defense systems, including Aegis warships operating in the Pacific and Patriot missile batteries deployed in Japan.

The radar could provide critical early tracking data to these missile interception systems, as well as those protecting Guam, the closest US territory to North Korea. </s> South Korean protesters attend a rally to oppose a plan to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in front of the Defense Ministry in Seoul on Feb. 28. Ahn Young-joon / AP

Yang Uk, a senior fellow at the Korea Defense & Security Forum, a private research group in Seoul, said: “THAAD installation will not be met with fully open arms but semi-open arms.”

“A majority of South Korean people do understand the need for installing the THAAD and also that it is better sooner than later, but China’s trade attack and pressure on South Korean people and businesses is [stopping] many South Koreans from welcoming THAAD,” Yang told NBC News.

“The reality is that China is opposed to THAAD deployment not because of South Korea, but because of the U.S., and so if the U.S. works closely with South Korea to alleviate China’s pressure against South Korea, more South Koreans will openly support THAAD installation,” Yang said.

But Kim Young-woo, chairman of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, rejected the idea that China’s opposition should influence the decision.

“China does not really have a say here, as this is about South Korea’s defense capability. It is against the principles of free trade to put economic pressure against South Korea,” Kim told NBC News.

“Just look at how North Korea’s threat is escalating,” Kim said. “We are faced with North Korea’s fanatical obsession over weapons of mass destruction. … The THAAD is a defense capability we need to defend ourselves.”

North Korea is banned from testing any ballistic missile technology under a set of U.N. resolutions. But it has threatened to conduct more missile tests in response to an annual two-month joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington, which continues through April. </s> In this May 2, 2017, file photo, a U.S. missile defense system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, is installed on a golf course in Seongju, South Korea. This image made from video of an undated still image broadcasted in a news bulletin on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, by North Korea's KRT shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a missile launcher in North Korea.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Tribune-Star. </s> Dozens of people holding posters showing late Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong protested in northeastern Jilin province on Sunday, calling for a boycott of South Korean goods as part of a backlash against the country’s Lotte Group.

The retail giant has faced growing opposition in China since signing a deal last Tuesday to provide land for a U.S. missile-defense system.

The plan to install the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was prompted by threats from North Korea, but Beijing fears the move will undermine its own military capabilities.

“Patriotism starts with me! Long live the Communist Party!”

Similar protests have sprouted across the country as Lotte suffers setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures — from last month’s government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyber-attacks on company websites.

Citing fire violations, authorities in Liaoning Province’s Dandong City have also suspended the operation of Lotte Mart, the Yonhap news agency reported Saturday.

Earlier last week, major tour operators confirmed that trips to South Korea have been suspended “due to policy and safety factors.”

China has repeatedly denounced THAAD as a threat to its security, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman saying “the consequences entailed will be borne by the U.S. and the Republic of Korea.”

Calls are growing in China for Beijing to use the carrot and stick of its huge market to raise pressure on South Korea to abandon the THAAD plan.

The stakes are high for Lotte, which has invested more than 10 trillion won ($8.7 billion) in its Chinese operations since 1994.

Earlier Sunday, South Korea’s trade minister said the government’s responses against discriminating action by China toward South Korean companies will be strengthened and he feels “deep concern” over recent measures taken by Beijing.

Trade Minister Joo Hyung-hwan made the statement while visiting the United States, the ministry said in a statement.

South Korean media said last week Chinese government officials had given verbal guidance to tour operators in China to stop selling trips to South Korea days after the Seoul government secured land for the THAAD system from Lotte.

China objects to the deployment, saying its territory is the target of the THAAD’s far-reaching radar. South Korea and the United States have said the missile system is only aimed at curbing North Korean provocations.

“We will act according to international law against any actions that violate policies of the World Trade Organization (WTO) or the free trade agreement between South Korea and China,” Joo said.

The Trade Ministry said it will start examining exports to China on a daily basis and any changes to South Korean exporters who do business with China in order to respond as quickly as possible against unfair action.

On Friday, it requested to the Chinese Embassy in Seoul that South Korean companies investing in China be protected and be shown care.

Data last week showed South Korean February exports to China, its biggest trade partner, posted the best growth since late 2010, driven by sales of intermediate goods such as semiconductors and display panels used for electronics manufacturing.

Economists say the THAAD-related backlash is not expected to significantly harm exports to China in the short term as a bulk of the shipments are intermediate goods, which China uses to manufacture finished products and ships to other countries.

However, government officials are warily watching if diplomatic tensions grow further between South Korea and China at a time when global protectionism is rising. </s> Increasingly concerned about the threats from North Korea's provocative behavior, the United States said Tuesday it had started to deploy an antimissile system in South Korea that China has angrily opposed as a threat to its security. The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or Thaad, came after North Korea launched four ballistic missiles on Monday apparently in response to joint naval exercises by South Korea and the United States.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. </s> U.S. missile launchers and other equipment needed to set up a controversial missile defense system have arrived in South Korea, the U.S. and South Korean militaries said Tuesday, a day after North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles into the ocean near Japan.

The plans to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, within this year have angered not only North Korea, but also China and Russia, which see the system's powerful radars as a security threat.

China responded quickly, saying it will take "necessary measures" to protect itself and warning that the U.S. and South Korea should be prepared to bear the consequences.

Washington and Seoul say the system is defensive and not meant to be a threat to Beijing or Moscow. The U.S. military said in a statement that THAAD can intercept and destroy short and medium range ballistic missiles during the last part of their flights.

"Continued provocative actions by North Korea, to include yesterday's launch of multiple missiles, only confirm the prudence of our alliance decision last year to deploy THAAD to South Korea," Adm. Harry Harris, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, said in the statement.

Some South Korean liberal presidential candidates have said that the security benefits of having THAAD would be curtailed by worsened relations with neighbors China and Russia.

"China firmly opposes the deployment of THAAD," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing Tuesday. "We will definitely be taking necessary measures to safeguard our own security interest. All consequences entailed from that will be borne by the U.S. and (South Korea). We once again strongly urge the relevant sides to stop the process of deployment and refrain from going further down that wrong path."

China's condemnation of South Korea's plans to deploy THAAD has triggered protests against a South Korean retail giant, Lotte, which agreed to provide one of its golf courses in southern South Korea as the site of THAAD. The South Korean government also raised concerns about a reported ban on Chinese tour groups visiting the country.

On Tuesday, China's Global Times, an outspoken nationalist tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's flagship People's Daily, criticized North Korea over the missiles.

"By firing four missiles at once this time, the military confrontation between Pyongyang, Seoul and Washington escalates a notch," the paper said. "Noticeably, the Chinese public is angry that Pyongyang's nuclear program has provided an excuse for Seoul to deploy THAAD."

An official from South Korea's Defense Ministry, who didn't want to be named, citing office rules, said that the equipment that arrived in South Korea included launchers, but didn't confirm how many.

While South Korea's media speculate that the THAAD deployment could be completed by as early as April, the ministry official couldn't confirm those reports. The official said that the plan was to have the system operational as soon as possible.

On Monday, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles in an apparent protest against ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The missiles flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) on average, three of them landing in waters that Japan claims as its exclusive economic zone, according to South Korean and Japanese officials.

The North's state media on Tuesday said leader Kim Jong Un supervised a ballistic rocket launching drill, a likely reference to the four launches reported by Seoul and Tokyo. Involved in the drills were artillery units tasked with striking "U.S. imperialist aggressor forces in Japan," according to the Korean Central News Agency.

There was pride and defiance among the elite citizens who live in North Korea's showcase capital, Pyongyang.

"If the U.S. imperialists and their South Korean puppets shoot even just one spark into our sovereign territory, we will completely destroy those aggressors, without any mercy, with our invincible Hwasong artillery, which are loaded with nuclear warheads," Sim Chol Su, echoing the propaganda often found in state media, told The Associated Press.

North Korea uses "Hwasong" to describe a broad range of its ballistic missiles, including Scuds and the mid-range missiles that are referred to as Rodong and Musudan by outside analysts.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the missiles fired by the North were believed to be "improved versions" of Scud missiles. South Korean experts say North Korea's extended-range Scuds and mid-range Rodong missiles are capable of hitting Japan, including U.S. military bases in Okinawa.

Kim "ordered the KPA (Korean People's Army) Strategic Force to keep highly alert as required by the grim situation in which an actual war may break out anytime," a KCNA dispatch said.
A South Korean adviser says it is "impossible" for South Korea to purchase the THAAD missile complex since control of its operation would remain with the United States. The remarks come after United States president Donald Trump suggested that South Korea pay for the $1 billion system.