Seoul: All six launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system stationed in the southeastern county of Seongju have returned to their original base following their temporary relocation during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, sources confirmed on Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the truck-mounted launchers had been moved from Seongju to Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, approximately 60 kilometers south of Seoul, back in March. This movement sparked speculation that the U.S. military might have been planning to deploy THAAD missile interceptors to the Middle East to bolster efforts in the conflict.
Despite these speculations, it appears that the launchers and other components of the THAAD battery remained within South Korea. Observations of some trucks making their way back to Seongju supported this assumption.
U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson addressed the situation in an April Senate hearing, asserting that the THAAD systems were still in South Korea. He mentioned that munitions were being sent forward and were poised for deployment, though he did not provide additional details on specific operations.