The United States has started to deploy the first elements of its advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to South Korea following North Korea’s test of four ballistic missiles, U.S. Pacific Command said on Tuesday (March 7).

Video provided by the U.S. Air Force showed THAAD parts arriving at the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Monday (March 6).

The announcement came as North Korean state media said leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised Monday’s missile launches, stepping up threats against Washington as U.S. troops conduct joint military exercises with South Korea.

The move by the U.S. military is likely to deepen the brewing conflict between South Korea and China, which has angrily opposed the THAAD deployment as destroying the regional security balance.

The four ballistic missiles landed in the sea northwest of Japan, angering Seoul and Tokyo, days after North Korea promised retaliation over the military drills which it sees as preparation for war.

(REUTERS)