U.S., South Korea agree on THAAD missile program to deter North Korea

SEOUL, July 8 (UPI) -- The United States and South Korea have agreed to deploy a anti-missile system, as threats increase from North Korea. China objected to the move as well.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system will be used as a deterrent to North Korean aggression, a statement said, though how it will be used is not known.

Since February's long-range missile test by Pyongyang, the U.S. and South Korea have been in discussion as to how best to defend against such threats, despite China's objections.

The missile defense system can reportedly detect North Korean missiles and destroy them, but China has contended in could de-stabilize the region.

"North Korea's continued development of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, in opposition to its commitments to the international community, require our alliance to ensure that we retain the ability defend ourselves in the face of this threat," said Gen. Thomas Vandal, chief of staff for the U.S. forces in South Korea.

China objects to the deployment of THAAD in South Korea because the system's radar is likely to give U.S. forces better early warning and a better ability to track Chinese missiles. THAAD is already in use in Hawaii, Guam and elsewhere.