South Koreans shout 'THAAD Out, Peace In'

South Korean people and religious figures gathered in central Seoul, where millions of people had demanded the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, for the removal of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) from their territory and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.


Religious figures, including Buddhist monks, Roman Catholic fathers and Protestant ministers, participated in the Won Buddhist service that was held Thursday afternoon at the Gwanghwamun square.

Scores of ordinary people voluntarily attended the service to pray for peace in their soil by throwing away the U.S. missile shield that was deployed in defiance of people's will and oppositions from the political arena.

Overcoming the religious differences, all the participants hoped in unison for the removal of what they called the "war weapon" as THAAD fuels arms race and escalates tensions on the peninsula.

"Situations got worse as THAAD was deployed yesterday," said a 37-year-old housewife who joined the peaceful event. She identified herself only with her surname Kim, saying she has two sons and a daughter.

Asked about the reason for her participation, she replied it was for the future of her children and for the future of South Korea that does only demand peace, not war.

"(South) Korea does not require THAAD. It was deployed without any public consensus. People only want peace," said the woman.
   [china.org.cn/Xinhua]
28/4/17