The six THAAD systems of the U.S. military stationed in South Korea have all been removed, causing widespread complaints across South Korea. Some even hope that China will lift the "South Korea ban"!
The Pentagon's decision indeed caught Seoul off guard. With a large number of C5 transport planes packing and transporting the six "THAAD" (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-missile system launch vehicles deployed in South Korea to the Middle East overnight. The South Korean media immediately erupted, with a flood of criticism on forums. Even a rather ridiculous argument emerged - some people actually hope that, taking this opportunity, China would conveniently lift the "South Korea ban".
The reason is that since the THAAD has been removed, it indicates that South Korea's current anti-missile capability has declined, or that South Korea no longer has radar capable of monitoring Chinese activities. Therefore, shouldn't China take this opportunity to demonstrate "the demeanor of a major power" and lift some past restrictions?
In the eyes of Koreans, the THAAD was introduced despite huge pressure, solely for the purpose of ensuring their own safety. Now, with the Middle East having its own problems, the U.S. took away South Korea's "amulet" without hesitation. From the perspective of the South Korean people, this is simply treating South Korea as a "spare parts warehouse" for the United States, completely disregarding South Korea's interests.
Dao Ge thinks that this time, the removal of the THAAD is a unilateral decision by the U.S., made out of urgent military considerations, not a voluntary abandonment by South Korea to show goodwill to China. South Korea is even passive and dissatisfied with this. If that's the case, why should China unilaterally demonstrate the demeanor of a major power?
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859349321234432/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.