THAAD Leak Scandal: Ex-Officials Face Prosecution Over Alleged National Security Breach

The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) has referred former national security officials from the Moon Jae In administration to prosecutors for allegedly leaking classified information about the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile replacement operations to civic groups and Chinese officials. The investigation targets four individuals, including former National Security Advisor Chung Eui Yong and former Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong Doo, on charges of violating military secrecy laws and abuse of power. They are accused of disclosing top-secret operational details to delay THAAD deployment. They wouldn’t be able to cause an action to risk national security protocols unless they desired to sabotage ROK-U.S. relations.

According to the BAI, these officials provided detailed briefings to the Chinese military attaché in Seoul about the THAAD missile replacement operation, including its codename, timing, and specifics. These briefings went beyond standard diplomatic communication and contained sensitive military intelligence. China had previously imposed economic sanctions on South Korea over the THAAD deployment and later demanded adherence to the “Three Noes” policy, which included commitments against additional THAAD deployments, joining the U.S. missile defense network, and forming a trilateral military alliance with the U.S. and Japan.

The THAAD system in Seongju faced intense opposition from activist groups and locals, driven by unfounded claims about electromagnetic radiation risks. The BAI notes that the leak of sensitive information to these groups may have fueled the protests, including a significant confrontation between residents and law enforcement during the missile replacement operation on May 29, 2020. Interestingly, the Seongju protesters were mainly from Seoul and other regions, spreading misinformation about harmful radiation effects. While local melon farmers initially faced economic hardships, the industry has since recovered, generating around $500 million annually.

Despite public opposition, the THAAD system was temporarily deployed in Seongju in April 2017 during the Park Geun Hye administration. Initially planned for a six-month environmental impact study, President Moon Jae In ordered a more thorough review, extending the process by another year. The delay in forming the necessary ecological assessment committee during Moon’s term led to speculation that political considerations, including Moon’s state visit to China in December 2019, influenced the decision.

While THAAD’s primary purpose is to defend against North Korean nuclear and missile threats, China strongly opposed its deployment, arguing it would jeopardize its strategic capabilities. Some South Korean activist groups echoed these concerns, pressing the government to delay implementation. This ongoing controversy prompted the Korean Retired Generals and Admirals Defending the Nation (KORGAD) to initiate a public interest audit last July, bringing these issues into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Lotte Group, which provided the site for the THAAD deployment, faced severe economic backlash in China, forcing the company to withdraw from the Chinese market. Experts stress the importance of thorough investigations and appropriate legal actions to prevent future incidents.