Conflict 17/03/18 Catholics join missile-defense system protest in South Korea - Church groups say US Army anti-ballistic missile system threatens peace in the

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Catholics join missile-defense system protest in South Korea

Church groups say US Army anti-ballistic missile system threatens peace in the Korean peninsula

Protesters outside a golf course being used as the site for the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Seongju on March 18. The plan by Washington and Seoul to install THAAD is a response to threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. (Photo by Ed Jones/AFP)

March 27, 2017

Catholic lay people and priests joined a 5,000-strong rally March 18 against the deployment of a U.S. Army anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea.

The "Peace March"  in front of a golf course in Seongju, North Gyeongsang province where the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system will be deployed. Participants held candles and raised their voices, saying that THAAD is unnecessary and threatens peace in the Korean peninsula.  

Meanwhile, the Priests' Solidarity for the Common Good of Suwon Diocese criticized THAAD in a March 20 statement. "We should find other ways to promote peace in the Korean peninsula and the world," the statement said.

The Jesuit Social Apostolate of the Korea Province issued a statement on March 16 saying that "The deployment of THAAD will drive the Korean peninsula into war.... The deployment of the defense system was decided by ousted former President Park Geun-hye’s government [and] should not be forced on people," it added.

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