We Oppose THAAD System Deployment in South Korea

(Seoul, 16 February 2016) After North Korea conducted its 4th nuclear test and launched a long-range rocket, the governments of South Korea and the US officially announced plans to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea. We are gravely concerned about the negative impact of this planned deployment in South Korea, and strongly urge both governments to avoid deploying this weapon as it will escalate tension on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and create further problems related to the North Korean nuclear issue. 

The problems we foresee include:

1. Escalation of Military Tension in Northeast Asia 
We note with concern that deployment of THAAD in South Korea will make this nation officially part of the Northeast Asia Missile Defense system, led by the US and Japan. This will inevitably escalate military tension between the US-South Korea-Japan and North Korea-China-Russia and the nuclear arms race in the region.

The US and South Korean governments continue to argue that deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea is a response to the existence of North Korean nuclear weapons and missiles. However, THAAD is not an effective tool to defend against North Korean ballistic missiles targeting South Korea, due to its short range and low peak altitude.

Both governments also insist that China has no need to worry as THAAD radars can be fixed towards North Korea and deployed in terminal mode with low detectable range. However, a multitude of experts contend that it is easy to change terminal mode to forward-based mode, putting most Chinese territory under detectable range, regardless of THAAD’s location in South Korea. 

We believe the main purpose of THAAD in South Korea will be to use the AN/TPY2 radar to identify and trace in the early stages any mid- to long-range ballistic missile from China or North Korea heading to the US mainland or US army bases in Japan or Guam. Based on information provided by the South Korean government to the US and Japan, the rate of interception by the US Missile Defense strategy will increase. 

2. More Difficulty in Resolving Nuclear Issues on the Korean Peninsula 
We emphasize that deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea will make it more difficult to resolve nuclear issues on the peninsula, especially due to the strong opposition from China. China has been managing North Korea’s brinkmanship diplomacy through coordination of the Six-Party Talks and support for or even pressure on North Korea. Deployment of THAAD in South Korea will remove the motivation for China to play an active role in continuing to manage North Korea’s nuclear activity or play a constructive role in reopening the 6-party talks. In addition, rather than resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, deploying THAAD in South Korea will justify to North Korea the importance of developing the quality and increasing the numbers of its nuclear weapons to overwhelm the missile defense system. 

Fundamentally, the North Korean nuclear crisis is the result of hostile relations between North Korea and the US. These hostile relations on the Korean peninsula can be resolved through dialogue and negotiations between the relevant stakeholders, including North Korea and the US.  /END/
 

South Korea: Reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex Immediately

(Seoul, 11 February 2016) On 10 February 2016, the South Korean government announced the closure of Kaesong Industrial Complex, citing North Korea’s 4th nuclear test and launching of a long-range rocket as reasons. However, South Korean civil society organisations emphasise that closure of Kaesong Industrial Complex is an absolutely improper measure. We call on the South Korean government to immediately reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex. It is not a time to immediately end relations with North Korea. Instead, we must find wise solutions to escape this cold period. 

We note with concern that the closure of Kaesong Industrial Complex goes completely against the 2013 agreement between the two Koreas in which they each committed to continue operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex regardless of the political situation. This recent unilateral decision by the South Korean government is also a violation of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries, which is a de facto international treaty. 

The South Korean government argues that approximately 120 billion KRW (around 120 million USD) in wages paid to workers at Kaesong Industrial Complex has been used in development of nuclear weapons and missiles. This accusation has no grounds because most wages paid to North Korean workers are in the form of social and cultural policy funds and gift cards. 

We deplore the South Korean government actions, which ignore the lives of the North Korean workers and difficulties faced by South Korean companies, around 120 of whom face bankruptcy as a result of the closure. While the South Korean government is discussing an alternative site for a factory and financial support, nothing can replace Kaesong Industrial Complex to companies. At the same time, the approximately 54,000 North Korean workers and their families are now at the edge of a precipice. They are not at all related to North Korea’s nuclear testing or long-range rocket launch. 

It is obvious that additional sanctions will not resolve North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, as the past 20 years of sanctions against it have not been successful. It is clear that establishing a peace system and denuclearisation is the only effective solution, not simply repeating already-failed policies of sanctions. The South Korean government must reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex immediately.  /END/

Endorsed by below 69 civil society organisations and networks: 
Busan Counseling Center Against Sexual Violence, Busan Women's Association United, Cheonan Women's Association, Chungbuk Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Chungnam Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Citizens Coalition for Democratic Media, Civil Peace Forum, Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Cultural Action, Daegu Citizens Union for Peaceful Reunification, Daegu Gyeongbuk Women's Association United, Daegu Women's Association, Daejeon Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Daejeon Women's Association for Democracy, Daejeon Women's Association United, Eco Horizon Institute, Eco Justice, Goyang Peace Nuri, Green Korea United, Green Transport Movement, Gwangju Jeonnam Women's Association United, Gyeonggi Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Gyeonggi Women's Association United, Gyeongnam Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Gyeongnam Women's Association, Gyeongnam Women's Association United, Housewives Association, Jeju Women's Association, Jeju Women's Human Rights Solidairty, Jeonbuk Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Jeonbuk Women's Association United, Jeonnam Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Korea Association of Christian Women for Women Minjung, Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, Korea Single Parent United, Korea Women's Hot Line, Korea Women's Political Solidarity, Korea Women's Studies Institute, Korea YMCA, Korea Youth Corps, Korean Association of Women Theologians, Korean Catholic Women's Community for a New World, Korean Differently Abled Women United, Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, Korean Sharing Movement, Korean Women Workers Association, Korean Women's Association United, Korean Women's Environmental Network, National Solidarity for Solving Prostitution Issues, Network for Gender Sensitive Budget, Peace Ground, Peace Network, Peace3000, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Pohang Women's Association, Pusan Women Education Center, Research Institute of the Differently Abled Person's Rights in Korea, Reunification Tree, Saewoomtuh, Suwon Women's Association, The National Association of Parents for Cham Education, Tongilmaji, Transparency International Korea, Ulsan Women's Association, Women Education Center, Women Making Peace, Women Migrants Human Rights Center of Korea, WomenLink, Young Korean Academy