U.S. bolsters missile defenses in S.Korea

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has completed the deployment of new Patriot missiles in South Korea as part of an $11 billion upgrade program, officials said Tuesday.

The U.S. 8th Army's 35th Air Defense Brigade, which recently relocated to South Korea from Fort Bliss, Texas, has completed its deployment of Patriot PAC-3 missile systems to Gwangju Air Base, about 200 miles south of Seoul.

"The deployment of Patriot PAC-3 Air Defense Artillery Brigade was completed last week with the final load of equipment into Gwangju Air Base," the U.S. military said in a statement.

The U.S. military will also retain its six Patriot missile batteries -- PAC-1 or PAC-2 batteries -- in South Korea under the command of the new brigade, the officials said.

The Patriot missile systems are designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and enemy aircraft.

The U.S. military had kept the missile deployment low profile as residents in Gwangju protested vehemently against the move.