By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea paved the way for the full-fledged deployment of the US missile system in the country on Wednesday after its two ministries stated in an environmental assessment report that the impact of electromagnetic waves from the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on human bodies and the surrounding environment is insignificant.
South Korea installed the THAAD battery in Seongju, 214 kilometers (133 miles) southeast of the capital Seoul in 2017. The missile system, however, was given the status of "temporary," and it was awaiting an environmental assessment report, the Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.
"We will closely cooperate with the US side to proceed with the (deployment) project in full reflection of the assessment," an Environment Ministry official was quoted as saying in a statement by the news agency.
The Environment Ministry approved the environmental assessment document submitted by the Defense Installations Agency under the Defense Ministry on May 11, the news agency said.
"It is judged that the impact of (the electromagnetic waves from the base) on human bodies and the surrounding environment is insignificant," the Environment Ministry said.
This approval is expected to facilitate and expedite the construction of the infrastructure necessary for the battery to operate at full capacity.
THAAD has received harsh criticism from residents concerned that the Seongju area could be targeted by Pyongyang, as well as concerns about the possible health and environmental effects of the system's powerful radar.
While THAAD's battery installation was also a source of contention between South Korea and China as Beijing argued that it could jeopardize its strategic security interests amid an intensifying Sino-US rivalry, according to the media outlet.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen further as a result of recent joint military exercises between South Korea and the US, as well as North Korean missile tests.