S. Korean president says THAAD deployment 'mysteriously' accelerated

The deployment of the THAAD missile defense system had "mysteriously" accelerated, said South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday in an interview with Reuters.

Based on the schedule of the THAAD deployment agreed by the US and the South Korea last year, only one rocket launcher was set to be deployed by the end of 2017 and the other five would be deployed next year, according to Moon.

It was the first time the details of the so-called original THAAD agreement have been revealed.

However, Moon noted, "but for some reason that I do not know, this entire THAAD process was accelerated."

As of now, two THAAD launchers have been deployed and another four had been delivered and stored into the country.

Earlier, Moon's new administration announced to temporarily suspend the deployment of the THAAD pending an environmental assessment.

Moon's remark come ahead of his trip to Washington next week for a summit with US President Donald Trump. The THAAD issue will probably top their agenda.

(CGTN)