The Pentagon said in a statement on Wednesday that it would deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD), which includes a truck-mounted launcher, a complement of interceptor missiles, an AN/TPY- 2 tracking radar and an integrated fire control system.
The Pentagon said the missile system would be moved to Guam, a US territory with a significant US military presence, as a “precautionary move to strengthen our regional defense posture against the North Korean regional ballistic missile threat.”
The Defense Department said Washington would continue to urge Pyongyang to “cease provocative threats and choose the path of peace” by complying with its international obligations.
The North Korean Army says it has received final approval for a nuclear attack on the United States in response to Washington’s threats and its planned deployment of the advanced missile system.
The General Staff of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) said in a statement issued on Thursday that the threats by the US would be “smashed by… cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means.”
“The merciless operation of (our) revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified,” said the statement, which was published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation.”
War of words escalated between Washington and Pyongyang after the participation of nuclear-capable US B-52s and B-2 stealth bombers in the United States’ ongoing joint military drills with South Korea.