House Foreign Affairs chairman welcomes THAAD deployment in S. Korea

The chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee welcomed the decision to deploy the U.S.

THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, saying it will provide good protection from the North's nuclear and missile programs.

South Korea and the U.S. announced earlier Friday that they have officially decided to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in South Korea to cope with ever-growing nuclear and missile threats from the communist nation.

"The North Korean regime's continued belligerence is a threat to South Korea and the entire Pacific region. The deployment of the THAAD defensive missile system will help protect against Kim Jong-un's illicit weapons programs," Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) said in a statement.

"Along with new sanctions mandated by my North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, this action demonstrates the strong resolve of the U.S. and South Korea to promote peace, stability, and respect for human rights," he said.

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, also welcomed the decision.

"The announcement that the U.S. and the Republic of Korea have made the decision to deploy THAAD in South Korea is a welcomed one, and it serves as a reminder of the strength of our alliance," he said in a statement.

"This is yet another step in the increasing interoperability of our missile defense systems. Our two countries will not permit the regime in North Korea to blackmail us or our allies with the world's most dangerous weapons," he said. (Yonhap)