Citizens, politicians, media in S. Korea raise voices against THAAD deployment

Younger generations overwhelmingly objected to the THAAD deployment, with 78.3 percent of those in their 30s expressing opposition. The dissenting figures for those in their 20s and 40s were 66.7 percent and 63.1 percent respectively.

It was in contrast to the Realmeter's February poll that showed 49.4 percent in favor of and 42.3 percent against the THAAD deployment. The growing awareness about what THAAD is helped more people change positions, but older generations, especially those aged over 60, remain in favor of it as the government hypes up public fears.

The government has claimed that without the THAAD battery, South Korea will fall victim to growing nuclear and missile threats from Pyongyang. Dissenters express worry about the belief that THAAD could be a cure-all to protect from DPRK missiles.

THAAD is designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40-150 km using a hit-to-kill technology, while DPRK missiles can travel at a lower altitude of 20-30 km. There is no reason for Pyongyang to propel its short- and medium-range missiles high in the sky in times of emergency with Seoul and Washington. About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korean soil.

"Without THAAD, there are enough military assets of (South) Korea-US alliance to defend against North Korea (DPRK)'s missile threats," said Cheong Wook-sik, director of Peace Network and co-chair of steering committee of Civil Peace Forum during a press conference with foreign correspondents.

Cheong called for Seoul's dialogue with Pyongyang and its retraction of the THAAD deployment decision, saying fears for the DPRK's nuclear weapons would disappear with improved inter-Korean relations like South Korean people having no fear for the US nuclear weapons thanks to the bilateral alliance.

College student activists took to the street to hold rallies against THAAD. One of the student dissenters told Xinhua earlier this week that relevant parties should return to dialogue to ease tensions and reduce war risks in the Northeast Asian region.

"If denuclearization (on the Korean peninsula) is an ultimate goal, (South Korea) should select dialogue rather than THAAD deployment, which will make dialogue much harder. Blocking the THAAD deployment can be a first step toward dialogue," said Lee Jowoon, 24, who declined to be identified further.

Residents living in Seongju county, where the THAAD battery will be deployed, continue their protests against it. Two weeks earlier, Seongju villagers threw water bottles and eggs at Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and Defense Minister Han Min-koo who visited the country, some 250 km southeast of Seoul, to appease angry people.

The residents, mostly farmers, were infuriated at the deployment of hazardous radar without any prior notice and discussion. The THAAD radar is known to emit super-strong microwave detrimental to human body. It can also cause an environment hazard, boosting worries among villagers about the oriental melon farming, the economic mainstay of the county.

According to local news agency Newsis, Seongju residents plan to show a performance of plowing up a melon field on Saturday to protest against the THAAD deployment. Tonsure and candlelight rallies have been held, and will be done, continuously in the county in protest against the deployment.