A South Korean environmental impact assessment of a US missile defence system found "insignificant" electromagnetic radiation relative to safety standards, the defence ministry said on Wednesday, clearing the way for its permanent deployment.
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system installed in South Korea in 2017 generated a maximum level of electromagnetic radiation below 0.2% of the safety standards, the ministry said. China and some residents had complained about its placement in the southeastern air base of Seongju.
"The latest environmental impact assessment is a preceding step for the normalisation of the Seongju base," the ministry said in a statement.
The study result is expected to clear the way for additional infrastructure construction for the system. Officials have said THAAD could not be operated at its full capacity amid protests from nearby residents who raised concerns over the system's impact on their health.
China has also angrily reacted to the installation, contending that the system's powerful radar could peer into its airspace.
The United States and South Korea have said THAAD is for self-defence, meant to counter North Korea's evolving threats.
The nuclear-armed North has been testing various weapons, including its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile, ramping up tension with the South and its main ally, the United States.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing
North Korean Diplomat Defects From Cuba To South Korea: Report Study Abroad: Best Universities To Study In South Korea South Korea Set To Deploy 'StarWars' Laser Weapons To Take Down N Korean Drones Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms UP Banker Dies By Suicide After 6 Months Of Bullying, Body-Shaming Maharashtra Government Declares Job Training And Stipend Scheme Three Indians On Global Student Prize 2024 Top 50 shortlist Prime Accused In INDIA's Bihar Ally's Brutal Murder Arrested Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.