Dozens of people holding Chairman Mao posters protested in China&#39;s Jilin province on Sunday, calling for a boycott of South Korean goods as part of a backlash against the country&#39;s Lotte Group.

The retail giant has faced growing opposition in China since signing a deal to provide land for a US missile-defence system Tuesday.

The plan to install the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was prompted by threats from North Korea, but Beijing fears the move will undermine its own military capabilities.

&quot;No to THAAD! Boycott Korean goods!&quot; chanted the protesters in northern Jilin province.

&quot;Patriotism starts with me! Long live the Communist Party!&quot;

Similar protests have sprouted across the country, as Lotte suffers setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures -- from last month&#39;s government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyber-attacks on company websites.

Citing fire violations, authorities in Liaoning&#39;s Dandong city have also suspended the operation of Lotte Mart, the Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday.

Earlier this week, major tour operators confirmed to AFP that trips to South Korea have been suspended &quot;due to policy and safety factors.&quot;

China has repeatedly denounced THAAD as a threat to its security, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying &quot;the consequences entailed will be borne by the US and the Republic of Korea&quot;.

Calls are growing in China for Beijing to use the carrot and stick of its huge market to raise pressure on South Korea to abandon the THAAD plan.

The stakes are high for Lotte, which has invested more than ten trillion won ($8.76 billion) in its Chinese operations since 1994. 
 
(AFP)

The retail giant Lotte has faced growing opposition in China since South Korea signed a deal to provide land for the THAAD system

Dozens of people holding Chairman Mao posters protested in China's Jilin province on Sunday, calling for a boycott of South Korean goods as part of a backlash against the country's Lotte Group. The retail giant has faced growing opposition in China since signing a deal to provide land for a US missile-defence system Tuesday. The plan to install the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was prompted by threats from North Korea, but Beijing fears the move will undermine its own military capabilities. "No to THAAD! Boycott Korean goods!" chanted the protesters in northern Jilin province. "Patriotism starts with me! Long live the Communist Party!" Similar protests have sprouted across the country, as Lotte suffers setbacks in several of its Chinese ventures -- from last month's government-ordered halt of a $2.6 billion theme park project to apparent cyber-attacks on company websites. Citing fire violations, authorities in Liaoning's Dandong city have also suspended the operation of Lotte Mart, the Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday. Earlier this week, major tour operators confirmed to AFP that trips to South Korea have been suspended "due to policy and safety factors." China has repeatedly denounced THAAD as a threat to its security, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying "the consequences entailed will be borne by the US and the Republic of Korea". Calls are growing in China for Beijing to use the carrot and stick of its huge market to raise pressure on South Korea to abandon the THAAD plan. The stakes are high for Lotte, which has invested more than ten trillion won ($8.76 billion) in its Chinese operations since 1994. (AFP)

China: Protesters demand boycott of South Korean goods after plan to install US defence system

Days after Pyongyang&#39;s fifth and largest-ever nuclear test, &nbsp;two huge US strategic bombers flew over South Korea today in a show of force and solidarity with its ally against North while a US envoy called for a &nbsp;strong response from the United Nations (UN). 
 
&quot;Today&#39;s demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep resources of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence,&quot; &nbsp;general Vincent Brooks, US-South Korea Combined Forces Command was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;North Korea&#39;s nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat,&quot; said the general, adding the US has an &quot;unshakable commitment&quot; to defend allies in the region. 
 
The supersonic B-1B Lancers reached airspace over the US Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, 64 kilometres (40 miles) south of Seoul, at around 10:00 am (0100 GMT). 
 
&quot;Our intention is to secure the strongest possible (UN Security Council) resolution that includes new sanctions as quickly as possible,&quot; Sung Kim, the US envoy on North Korea, asserted while speaking in the South Korean capital.&nbsp; 
 
US remains open to authentic, meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang on ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Kim was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
Each aircraft, which had flown from the US Pacific Command`s Andersen Airforce base at Guam, was escorted by US and South Korean fighter jets.&nbsp; 
 
It&#39;s pertinent to mention that Seoul in July had announced its plans to deploy THAAD &nbsp;(Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), a sophisticated US missile defence system, to counter growing nuclear and missile threats from the North.&nbsp; 
 
However, North Korea&#39;s major diplomatic ally, China, which believes the system`s radar could also be used to track its own defences, had objected strongly. The plan has also met resistance from residents of the southern county of Seongju, the planned site. 
 
Kim today pointed out that the United States would work with China to close loopholes in existing resolutions, which were tightened with Beijing`s backing in March. 
 
&quot;China has been very clear that they understand the need for a new UN security council resolution in response to the latest North Korean nuclear test,&quot; Kim said. 
 
China and Russia, however, which strongly oppose a recent decision by the United States and South Korea to deploy an advanced anti-missile system in the South to counter the North`s missile threat, have shown reluctance to back further sanctions. 
 
Meanwhile, South Korea`s defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun told journalists that Tuesday&#39;s overflight was &quot;aimed at sending a clear warning to North Korea about its nuclear test, and containing further provocations&quot;. &nbsp; 
 
Washington took similar actions after previous atomic tests. 
 
In January, the US flew a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber over Osan Air Base after North Korea`s fourth nuclear blast. 
 
South Korea is home to around 28,500 US troops and numerous bases. 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters, AFP)&nbsp;

The overflight was 'aimed at sending a clear warning to the North' after its fifth nuclear test: South Korea's defence ministry

Days after Pyongyang's fifth and largest-ever nuclear test, two huge US strategic bombers flew over South Korea today in a show of force and solidarity with its ally against North while a US envoy called for a strong response from the United Nations (UN). "Today's demonstration provides just one example of the full range of military capabilities in the deep resources of this strong alliance to provide and strengthen extended deterrence," general Vincent Brooks, US-South Korea Combined Forces Command was quoted as saying by AFP. "North Korea's nuclear test is a dangerous escalation and poses an unacceptable threat," said the general, adding the US has an "unshakable commitment" to defend allies in the region. The supersonic B-1B Lancers reached airspace over the US Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, 64 kilometres (40 miles) south of Seoul, at around 10:00 am (0100 GMT). "Our intention is to secure the strongest possible (UN Security Council) resolution that includes new sanctions as quickly as possible," Sung Kim, the US envoy on North Korea, asserted while speaking in the South Korean capital. US remains open to authentic, meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang on ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Kim was quoted as saying by Reuters. Each aircraft, which had flown from the US Pacific Command`s Andersen Airforce base at Guam, was escorted by US and South Korean fighter jets. It's pertinent to mention that Seoul in July had announced its plans to deploy THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), a sophisticated US missile defence system, to counter growing nuclear and missile threats from the North. However, North Korea's major diplomatic ally, China, which believes the system`s radar could also be used to track its own defences, had objected strongly. The plan has also met resistance from residents of the southern county of Seongju, the planned site. Kim today pointed out that the United States would work with China to close loopholes in existing resolutions, which were tightened with Beijing`s backing in March. "China has been very clear that they understand the need for a new UN security council resolution in response to the latest North Korean nuclear test," Kim said. China and Russia, however, which strongly oppose a recent decision by the United States and South Korea to deploy an advanced anti-missile system in the South to counter the North`s missile threat, have shown reluctance to back further sanctions. Meanwhile, South Korea`s defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun told journalists that Tuesday's overflight was "aimed at sending a clear warning to North Korea about its nuclear test, and containing further provocations". Washington took similar actions after previous atomic tests. In January, the US flew a B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber over Osan Air Base after North Korea`s fourth nuclear blast. South Korea is home to around 28,500 US troops and numerous bases. (WION with inputs from Reuters, AFP)

US bombers fly over South Korea in show of solidarity against Pyongyang

North Korea&#39;s military said today it will take a &quot;physical response&quot; to a move by the United States and South Korea to deploy the advanced THAAD missile defence system on the Korean peninsula to counter the threat from the North. 
 
The United States and South Korea said on Friday that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system will be used as a defence against North Korea&#39;s growing nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. 
 
The announcement was the latest move by the allies against the North which conducted its fourth nuclear test this year and launched a long-range rocket, resulting in tough new UN sanctions and a series of bilateral sanctions against it. 
 
&quot;There will be physical response measures from us as soon as the location and time that the invasionary tool for US world supremacy, THAAD, will be brought into South Korea,&quot; the North&#39;s military said in a statement. 
 
&quot;It is the unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike and turn (the South) into a sea of fire and a pile of ashes the moment we have an order to carry it out,&quot; the statement carried by the official KCNA news agency said. 
 
The North frequently threatens to attack the South and US interests in Asia and the Pacific. 
 
The move to deploy the THAAD system, which drew a swift and sharp protest from China, came a day after the US treasury department blacklisted leader North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for human rights abuses. 
 
North Korea called this &quot;a declaration of war&quot; and vowed a tough response. 
 
A South Korean defence ministry official said selection of a site for THAAD could come &quot;within weeks,&quot; and the allies were working to have it operational by the end of 2017. 
 
It will be deployed to US Forces Korea &quot;to protect alliance military forces,&quot; the South and the United States said on Friday. The United States maintains 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war. 
 
It will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and will not be directed towards any third-party nations, the two countries said last week. 
 
(Reuters)

Pyongyang calls missile defence system a 'declaration of war' and vows to '...turn (the South) into a sea of fire and a pile of ashes...'

North Korea's military said today it will take a "physical response" to a move by the United States and South Korea to deploy the advanced THAAD missile defence system on the Korean peninsula to counter the threat from the North. The United States and South Korea said on Friday that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system will be used as a defence against North Korea's growing nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. The announcement was the latest move by the allies against the North which conducted its fourth nuclear test this year and launched a long-range rocket, resulting in tough new UN sanctions and a series of bilateral sanctions against it. "There will be physical response measures from us as soon as the location and time that the invasionary tool for US world supremacy, THAAD, will be brought into South Korea," the North's military said in a statement. "It is the unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike and turn (the South) into a sea of fire and a pile of ashes the moment we have an order to carry it out," the statement carried by the official KCNA news agency said. The North frequently threatens to attack the South and US interests in Asia and the Pacific. The move to deploy the THAAD system, which drew a swift and sharp protest from China, came a day after the US treasury department blacklisted leader North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for human rights abuses. North Korea called this "a declaration of war" and vowed a tough response. A South Korean defence ministry official said selection of a site for THAAD could come "within weeks," and the allies were working to have it operational by the end of 2017. It will be deployed to US Forces Korea "to protect alliance military forces," the South and the United States said on Friday. The United States maintains 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war. It will be focused solely on North Korean nuclear and missile threats and will not be directed towards any third-party nations, the two countries said last week. (Reuters)

North Korea threatens 'physical response' against US THAAD missile system deployment

Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Wednesday, urged South Korea to pay attention to China&#39;s concerns about the deployment of the US THAAD missile defence system to the country and &quot;cautiously&quot; address the plan. 
 
The United States and South Korea have begun talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on January 6 and conducted missile tests. 
 
China and Russia have urged the United States to back off, saying THAAD&#39;s deployment could also affect their security. 
 
South Korea should &quot;attach importance to China&#39;s legitimate concern on security and cautiously and appropriately address the United States&#39; plan&quot; to deploy THAAD in South Korea, Xi told visiting South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, the official Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
North Korea&#39;s drive to develop a nuclear weapons capability, has angered China, Pyongyang&#39;s sole major diplomatic and economic supporter. But Beijing fears THAAD and its radar have a range that would extend into China. 
 
Xi added that China and South Korea should continue to work for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, work together to maintain peace and stability, and solve problems through dialogue and consultation. 
 
(Reuters)

Beijing has urged the United States to back off, saying THAAD's deployment could affect their security

Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Wednesday, urged South Korea to pay attention to China's concerns about the deployment of the US THAAD missile defence system to the country and "cautiously" address the plan. The United States and South Korea have begun talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on January 6 and conducted missile tests. China and Russia have urged the United States to back off, saying THAAD's deployment could also affect their security. South Korea should "attach importance to China's legitimate concern on security and cautiously and appropriately address the United States' plan" to deploy THAAD in South Korea, Xi told visiting South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, the official Xinhua news agency reported. North Korea's drive to develop a nuclear weapons capability, has angered China, Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic supporter. But Beijing fears THAAD and its radar have a range that would extend into China. Xi added that China and South Korea should continue to work for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, work together to maintain peace and stability, and solve problems through dialogue and consultation. (Reuters)

China's Xi urges caution over US anti-missile system deployment in South Korea

The deployment of an advanced US missile defence system to counter the growing threat from North Korea will not be discussed when defence chiefs meet at an Asian security forum on the weekend, South Korean defence officials said today. 
 
The United States and South Korea began talks on deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January&nbsp;and launched a long-range rocket a month later. 
 
&quot;Recent North Korean missile tests showed the need for improved missile defences, even though the latest test launch on Tuesday was a failure,&quot;&nbsp;US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said en route to the Shangri-La Dialogue, a three-day Asian security meeting being held in Singapore from Friday. 
 
&quot;There is no plan for discussions on THAAD at the Shangri-La Dialogue,&quot; a South Korean defence ministry official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said separate talks on the missile defence system were continuing between South Korea and the United States. 
 
&quot;When the issues are coordinated, there will be an announcement,&quot; the official said. 
 
A senior US defence official said there were still &quot;a lot of technical issues to get through&quot;, but a public announcement would be made soon. 
 
China and Russia oppose the deployment of THAAD, which operates powerful radar capable of penetrating deep into their territories. South Korea and the United States say it is needed in response to the heightened missile threat from North Korea. 
 
Carter waved aside concerns expressed by China that deployment of the THAAD system&rsquo;s radars on the Korean peninsula could upset the balance of power by reducing the strategic deterrence of China&#39;s ballistic missile system. 
 
&quot;The implementation will be a series of decisions that we take together and it&rsquo;s for our own protection against North Korea. Everybody should understand that,&quot; Carter said. 
 
North Korea&#39;s attempt to fire an intermediate-range missile on Tuesday failed, South Korea and the United States said, following three earlier failures to launch a Musudan missile, which has a design range of more than 3,000 km (1,800 miles). 
 
In February, a North Korean rocket launch put an object into space, but that was seen as a cover for intercontinental ballistic missile development. 
 
The North has conducted a series of tests since then, claiming to have made progress on missile technology.

The United States and South Korea began talks on deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January

The deployment of an advanced US missile defence system to counter the growing threat from North Korea will not be discussed when defence chiefs meet at an Asian security forum on the weekend, South Korean defence officials said today. The United States and South Korea began talks on deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and launched a long-range rocket a month later. "Recent North Korean missile tests showed the need for improved missile defences, even though the latest test launch on Tuesday was a failure," US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said en route to the Shangri-La Dialogue, a three-day Asian security meeting being held in Singapore from Friday. "There is no plan for discussions on THAAD at the Shangri-La Dialogue," a South Korean defence ministry official said. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said separate talks on the missile defence system were continuing between South Korea and the United States. "When the issues are coordinated, there will be an announcement," the official said. A senior US defence official said there were still "a lot of technical issues to get through", but a public announcement would be made soon. China and Russia oppose the deployment of THAAD, which operates powerful radar capable of penetrating deep into their territories. South Korea and the United States say it is needed in response to the heightened missile threat from North Korea. Carter waved aside concerns expressed by China that deployment of the THAAD system’s radars on the Korean peninsula could upset the balance of power by reducing the strategic deterrence of China's ballistic missile system. "The implementation will be a series of decisions that we take together and it’s for our own protection against North Korea. Everybody should understand that," Carter said. North Korea's attempt to fire an intermediate-range missile on Tuesday failed, South Korea and the United States said, following three earlier failures to launch a Musudan missile, which has a design range of more than 3,000 km (1,800 miles). In February, a North Korean rocket launch put an object into space, but that was seen as a cover for intercontinental ballistic missile development. The North has conducted a series of tests since then, claiming to have made progress on missile technology.

South Korean, US missile defence talks continue, but not at Asian forum

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