The Impact of the Deployment of THAAD Defense Systems by the US and South Korea on the Dynamics of Diplomatic Relations between South Korea and China 2017 – 2022
Keywords:
THAAD, US-South Korea Alliance, Impact of THAAD DeploymentAbstract
This study analyzes the impact of the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) defense system by the United States and South Korea on the dynamics of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China in the 2017–2022 period. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, this study applies the theory of Security Dilemma by Robert Jervis and the concept of Interdependence by Joseph Nye and Robert Keohane. The results of the study show that the placement of THAAD triggers political and security tensions, including informal economic sanctions from China that have an impact on South Korea's tourism, investment, and entertainment sectors. However, high economic interdependence prevented a complete disconnection, with normalization achieved through the Three No's Policy. This study confirms that a country's defense policy has far-reaching consequences for diplomatic relations and regional stability.References
Amelia, Andi. "THE IMPACT OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENSE (THAAD) MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH KOREAN CULTURE." Bosowa University, 2022.
Botto, Kathryn. "South Korea Beyond Northeast Asia: How Seoul Is Deepening Ties With India and ASEAN - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace." Carnegie Endowment, no. October (2021).
Office, our. (2020, August 21). Chinese PLA to Hold Large Scale Live-Fire Military Exercise in Yellow Sea. Defensemirror.com. https://www. defensemirror.com/news/27696/Chinese_PLA_to_Hold_Large_Scale_Live_Fire_Military_Exercise_in_Yellow_Sea.
Ceic. (2025, January 1). South Korea's total exports to China. Ceicdata.com. https://www.ceicdata.com/id/indicator/korea/total-exports-to-china.
Defense, U.S. Department of. "Military And Security Developments Involving The People's Republic Of China," 2024.
Defense, U.D. of. (2024). Military And Security Developments Involving The People's Republic Of China.
Fahmi Akbar, Choirul, and Ismah Rustam. "The Chinese Government's Response to the Deployment of the United States Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Anti-Missile Defense System in South Korea." IJPSS: Indonesian Journal of Peace and Security Studies 4, no. 1 (2022): 82–99.
Fernandez, Nicole Josepha Hurint. "The negotiation process between South Korea and China in 2016-2018 is an effort to align interests in the placement of THAAD in South Korea." Journal of Progressive Law 8, no. 6 (2025): 171–81.
Fmprc.gov.cn. (2016, November 30). Wang Yi: Deployment of the THAAD Missile Defense System Goes beyond Actual Defense Need_Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. https://www.fmprc.gov. cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202405/t20240530_11324145.html.
Kim, Christine, and Ben Blanchard. (2017, October 31). China, South Korea Agree to Mend Ties after THAAD Standoff. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com /article/world/china-south-korea-agree-to-mend-ties-after-thaad-standoff-idUSKBN1D003C/.
Kim, Sang. (2017, April 24). Chinese Tourists to South Korea Drop 40 Percent in March amid THAAD Row - Korea Economic Institute of America. Korea Economic Institute of America. https://keia.org/the-peninsula/chinese-tourists-to-south-korea-drop-40-percent-in-march-amid-thaad-row/.
Kyong-ae, Choi. (2017, April 4). Hyundai, Kia Sales in China Plunge on THAAD Row.YonhapNewsAgency.https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170404007000320
Mfa.gov.cn. (2025) The Action Strategy on Trilateral Cooperation Among The People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Mfa.gov.cn. https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zzjg_663340/yzs_663350/dqzzywt_663588/202406/t20240606_11382104.html?utm_source=.com.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. (2018). Korea-China Trade Summary (2018.12) View|Asia - Pacific | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea.Mofa.go.kr.https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/brd/m_5659/view.do?seq=318384&srchFr=&.
Luqman, Kevin Ramadhan, Angga Nurdin Rahmat, and Iing Nurdin. "THE EFFECTS OF NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR DETERRENCE ON SECURITY IN THE EAST ASIAN REGION." Journal of Global Diplomacy and Security 1, no. 1 (2024): 1–10.
Prof. Dr. Sugiyono. Quantitative, qualitative and R&D research methods. Bandung: Alfabeta, 2015.
Daughter, Ayu Sasqia. "THE EFFECT OF TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENSE (THAAD) ON SOUTH KOREA-CHINA TRADE RELATIONS." Jom Fisip 6, no. 1 (2021): 167–86.
Park, Cheol-Hee. (2025, December 5). South Korea's Three No's for China: How Sustainable Are They?. Keaf.org. https://www.keaf.org/en/book/EAF_ Policy_Debates/South_Koreas_Three_Nos_for_China_How_Sustainable_Are_They?ckattempt=1.
Reuters. (2017, February 20). Chinese News Agency Warns South Korea's Lotte about THAAD. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/ world/chinese-news-agency-warns-south-korea-s-lotte-over-thaad-idUSKBN15Z10C/.
Reuters. (2017, October 31). South Korea, China Agree to Normalize Relations after THAAD Fallout. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com /2017/10/30/south-korea-china-agree-to-normalize-relations-after-thaad-fallout.html?utm_source=.
Reuters. (2019, May 2). South Korea's Lotte to Resume $2.6 Billion China Project after Missile Row. https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/asia/south-koreas-lotte-to-resume-26-billion-china-project-after-missile-row-idUSKCN1S816R/.
Stangarone, Troy. "THE ROLE OF SOUTH KOREA IN THE U.S. SEMICONDUCTOR SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY." The National Bureau of Asian Research 1, no. 1 (2023): 1–3. https://www.nbr.org/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/publications/brief-stangarone-april23.pdf.
Sugiyanti, Tutut Paramita, and Tukus Yuniasih. "South Korea's Confidence Building Measure (CBM) Against China." Jom Fisip Universitas Budi Luhur 3, no. 2 (2019): 167–73. https://jom.fisip.budiluhur.ac.id/index.php/balcony/article/view/211.
Swaine, Michael D. "Chinese Views on South Korea's Deployment of THAAD." China Leadership Monitor 1, no. 52 (2016): 1–15.
Tias, Anggraining. "Review of International Relations 2021." Review of International Relations 2, no. 2 (2020): 80–90.
Yonhap. (2018, November 15). Ctrip Again Deletes Group Tours to Korea from Website - the Korea Herald. The Korea Herald. https://www.koreaherald.com/ article/1840795.
Yonhap. (2018, November 15). Ctrip Again Deletes Group Tours to Korea from Website - the Korea Herald. The Korea Herald. https://www.koreaherald.com/ article/1840795.
Zhao, Tong . (2018. November 22). The Perception Gap in the THAAD Dispute – Causes and Solutions. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2018/11/the-perception-gap-in-the-thaad-dispute-causes-and-solutions?lang=en.
