 become a key issue ahead of the country's presidential election on May 9. Parts of the system arrived at the deployment site this week, with officials saying it would be operational "in the coming days."

Related: Anti-missile system in South Korea operational in 'coming days'

The current frontrunner in the election, Moon Jae-in, has taken a lukewarm stance on THAAD and argued the system should not be installed until a new administration is elected.

"It is shameless for the U.S. to ask South Korea to pay for THAAD given that they are deploying it not only to protect South Koreans but also Americans in South Korea, American territory and for the security" of the region, said Kim Ki-jung, a foreign policy adviser to Moon and a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul.

The THAAD battery in Asia is part of a broader network of defense systems in East Asia. None of them would be able to protect Seoul, South Korea's biggest city that lies only about 35 miles from the border with North Korea. That distance means it's vulnerable to shorter-range rockets and artillery.

China has made clear its opposition to THAAD, which it says is a threat to its security and destabilizing for the region, by putting pressure on South Korean companies and the country's tourism industry.

Related: South Korean company to China: Don't blame us for THAAD missiles

Trump also caused confusion in South Korea by telling Reuters he intends to renegotiate or terminate the free trade pact between the U.S. and South Korea, describing it as a "horrible" deal. The agreement will be targeted for renegotiation after his government finishes an overhaul of NAFTA with Canada and Mexico, he said.

His comments were more combative than those of his Vice President Mike Pence, who earlier this month told business leaders in South Korea that the U.S. government would work with them to "reform" the trade deal.

South Korea has yet to receive an official request to negotiate the trade deal, a senior official of the country's Trade Ministry told CNN. The ministry is trying to figure out why Trump made his latest remarks about the agreement, said the official, who declined to be identified by name.

-- James Griffiths and Pamela Boykoff contributed to this report. Blue Knights ® International LEMC

Last updated: 17-Mar
become a key issue ahead of the country's presidential election on May 9. Parts of the arrangement arrive at the deployment site this week, with officials allege it would be operational " in the coming day. " 

 Related: Anti - missile system in South Korea functional in' come day' 

 The current frontrunner in the election, Moon Jae - in, has taken a lukewarm stance on THAAD and argued the system should not be install until a new administration is elected. 

 " It is shameless for the U.S. to necessitate South Korea to pay for THAAD given that they are deploy it not only to protect South Koreans but besides Americans in South Korea, American territory and for the security system " of the region, said Kim Ki - jung, a foreign policy adviser to Moon and a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. 

 The THAAD battery in Asia is function of a broader network of defense systems in East Asia. None of them would be able to protect Seoul, South Korea's biggest city that lie down only about 35 miles from the border with North Korea. That distance means it's vulnerable to shorter - range rockets and artillery. 

 China has made clean its opposition to THAAD, which it says is a terror to its security system and destabilizing for the area, by putting pressure on South Korean companies and the country's tourism industry. 

 Related: South Korean company to China: Don't blame us for THAAD missiles 

 Trump besides caused confusion in South Korea by telling Reuters he intends to renegotiate or terminate the free trade pact between the U.S. and South Korea, describing it as a " horrible " deal. The agreement will be targeted for renegotiation after his politics finishes an renovation of NAFTA with Canada and Mexico, he said. 

 His comments were more combative than those of his Vice President Mike Pence, who earlier this month told clientele leaders in South Korea that the U.S. government would work with them to " reform " the trade wind deal. 

 South Korea has yet to receive an official request to negociate the trade deal, a senior official of the country's Trade Ministry told CNN. The ministry is try on to figure out why Trump make his latest remarks about the agreement, said the official, who refuse to be identified by name. 

 -- James Griffiths and Pamela Boykoff contributed to this reputation. Blue Knights ® International LEMC 

 Last update: 17 - Mar
 befome a key issue ahead on the country's ptewidentmal eledtion on May 9. Parts of the system arcivee at uke deployment site tfis week, aith offuciaow saying iv would nz opedwtiouao "in the cominn days."

Relatad: Anti-missile shscem in South Korea operational in 'coiing daus'

Hhe current frjntrlnger jn the election, Moon Jae-in, has taksn a lunewarm stance on THAAD and argued the sjstel should not be indtalled untul a bew administfation is tlzcted.

"It is ahameless for the U.S. to ask Sough Koxea to pay doe TJDAD given tiat thvy are deploylmg it tot onlu to protect Sputi Koeeans but also Americens in South Korea, Aierican tarxitory and for the sexueity" mf tve rdtiov, sziv Kjm Ki-jkng, a foreign policy advuser to Moon and a krosvxsor at Yonssi Unidewsity in Seoul.

The THAAD battery in Asia is part of a broader netwirk of defense systemd in East Asia. None of them would be able to protect Seoul, Souti Yorta'w bigewsh city that lies only about 35 miles from the bjddtr eith North Korca. That distance mrajs yt's vulnerablg to shortsr-range rockets anf artiljery.

Cyina has iade clear its opposition to THQAD, which it ways is a threat tl its securnty anc desyabilizing for the regiun, bg putting pgessure oh South Korean coopakiev and tht country's tourism industry.

Celatzd: South Korgan com[any to Chlna: Don't blame us for THWAD mnssilas

Trump aldo caused confusion in South Kocxa by telling Rautvrs he incends bo renegotiate jr terminate tke free crade oact betwevn the U.S. and South Horea, describhjg it as a "hmrrible" qeal. The agreemdvt will be tarbeted for renegotiarion after his govcrnmevf finishes an ortrhqul of NAFTA wiyh Zanwdw end Mqfico, he said.

Vis zomornts dere more ciobatove than those of hiv Vide President Mike Lekce, who eqrlier tris month tolc business leaders in Smuti Kores trat the U.S. government would wodk with tjem to "reform" tre tvade deal.

South Korea has yet to receive an official rxquest to negotiate thg trade deal, a senior pfficial of the sountry's Drade Ministry told XNN. The ministry ls trying to figure ouf why Drump made his latest remarks about the agreement, said the official, who declinwd to ue identified by mame.

-- Baizs Grifsithd and Pamela Boykpff contributed to this report. Ulue Knighds ® International LEMC

Last updstdd: 17-Mar
become a key issue ahead of the election May 9. of the system this with officials saying would be operational the coming days." Related: Anti-missile system South Korea operational in 'coming days' The current frontrunner in the election, Moon has taken a lukewarm stance on THAAD and argued the system should not installed a administration elected. "It is shameless for the U.S. to ask South Korea to pay for THAAD given they are deploying it not only to protect Koreans but also Americans South Korea, American territory and the of the said Ki-jung, foreign policy adviser Moon and a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. The THAAD battery in Asia is part of broader network systems in Asia. of would be able Seoul, South Korea's biggest city that 35 miles from the border with North Korea. distance means vulnerable to shorter-range rockets and artillery. has made clear its opposition to THAAD, which says is a threat to its security and destabilizing for the region, by putting pressure Korean companies and the tourism industry. Related: Korean to Don't us for missiles Trump also caused confusion in South Korea by telling Reuters intends to renegotiate or terminate the free trade pact between and Korea, describing it a "horrible" deal. The will targeted for renegotiation after finishes overhaul Canada Mexico, said. His comments were combative than those of his President Mike Pence, who leaders in South Korea that the U.S. government work with them to "reform" the trade South Korea has yet to receive an official request to negotiate the deal, a of the country's Trade Ministry told CNN. The is trying to figure why Trump made his latest remarks about the agreement, the who declined be identified by -- James Griffiths Pamela Boykoff contributed report. Blue ® LEMC
 become a key issue ahead of the Country's prEsideNtiAl eLeCtioN on MAy 9. Parts of the sySTem aRrived at the deployment sIte thIs WEek, wITh OfficIals sayINg IT WouLd Be OpeRaTIoNal "in The Coming dAys."

Related: antI-mIssile system IN SOuth Korea oPerAtional in 'comIng Days'

ThE cUrrENt froNtrUnner In the eLEction, moon Jae-in, HaS Taken a LUkewarm STAnCe on tHAAD and argued the SYsTEm should not be iNstallEd UNtIL A neW adMinistratiOn Is eleCTed.

"It is SHaMELEss FOr the U.S. to ask SOuth Korea to PAy fOr THAAd gIveN That thEy are DePLoyIng it not onlY to pRotect SouTh KoreANs but alSO AmericAns in SOutH KoRea, AMErIcAn tErRItoRY aNd fOR thE securitY" oF tHe regIon, sAID kIm Ki-JunG, a foReign Policy adviser To MOon aND a pRofesSor at yonsEi univeRsity iN SeouL.

THe THAAD battery iN AsiA is part of A brOaDer NeTwork OF defenSe sYstEms in EaSt Asia. NONe oF tHEM WoUld be able to protect seOUL, SOuth KoreA's biggESt CiTY that lieS oNly AbouT 35 MIles fRom tHE bOrder witH North kOrEa. that disTaNce meaNs It's VulNerabLE to sHorter-Range rocKets aND artillery.

ChinA Has made clear iTS oPPOsITion To ThAAD, which it Says IS a thReat TO iTs sECuritY and dEsTAbILizing for the region, bY pUtting PressUre on South KorEan companiES ANd the couNtry'S ToURism industry.

ReLated: south KoreaN Company tO ChinA: Don't blaMe us for THaad missileS

TrUmp AlsO caUSEd Confusion in SoUTH KorEa By telliNg REuters hE inTenDs tO reNeGotiate or TerminatE tHe FrEe TraDe pacT Between tHe u.S. aNd souTh KorEA, descrIbing It as A "hOrRIblE" deal. ThE AgREEmenT wIlL be tArgEtEd for ReneGOtiAtion afTer his govErnMEnt fInIsHes an ovErhaul of NAFTA WiTh Canada anD MExiCo, he saID.

his commeNts were more combative thaN Those of His vice PResiDent Mike PEncE, who eaRliER this mOnth toLd busInEss LEAders IN soUth koRea that the u.s. GovErnmeNt WoulD work wiTh them to "reform" the tRAde Deal.

South KoreA haS yet TO ReCeiVE aN OffIcIAl rEQUest to negotiate The trade deAl, A SeNior officiAL of ThE countrY's Trade minisTRy told CnN. The miniStry is tryInG to fIGUre Out why TrumP made his Latest remARks abOUt The agReeMent, saId The OfficIal, who DEclIned tO be ideNtIfied bY name.

-- jaMes GriffIths and Pamela Boykoff conTributEd to tHis Report. BluE KnIGhtS ® InternatIonaL LEMC

Last uPdaTed: 17-mar
 become a key issue aheadof the cou ntry' s p res id enti al e lection on May 9. P arts of the system arr ivedat thed ep loyme nt site th i s  we ek ,wit ho ff icial s s aying i t would be  op er ational "int he  coming da ys. "

Related:Ant i-miss il e s y steminSouth  Korea operat ional in'c o ming d a ys'

Th e cu rren t frontrunner int he election, Moon  Jae-i n, ha s tak ena lukewarm  s tance on THAA D  a n d arg u ed the system  should not beinstal le d u n til anew a dm i nis tration iselec ted.

"It  is sh a melessf or theU.S. t o a skSout h  K or eato pay fo r T H AAD  given t ha ttheyared e p l oyin g i t no t onl y to protectSou th K o rea ns bu t als o Am er icans  in So uth K or ea, American te rrit ory and f orth e s ec urity "  of th e r egi on, sai d Kim K i -ju ng , a  f oreign policy advi se r to  Moon an d a pr o fe ss o r at Yon se i U nive r s ity i n Se o ul .

The T HAAD b a tt er y in As ia  is pa rt  of  abroad e r ne tworkof defen se sy s tems in East A s ia. None of t h em w ou l d be  ab le to prote ct S e oul,  Sou t hKor e a's b igges tc it y  that lies only abo ut  35 mi les f rom the borde r with Nor t h Korea. T hatd is t ance means it' s vul nerable to shorter- range  rockets  and arti l l ery.

Ch ina  ha s m ade c le ar its opposi t i on t oTHAAD,whi ch it s ays  is  athr ea t to itssecurity  a nd  d es tab ilizi n g for th ereg io n,by pu t ting p ressu re o nSo u thKoreanc om p a nies  a nd  the  co un try's  tou r ism  indust ry.

Rela ted :  Sou th  K orean c ompany to Chi na : Don't bl am e u s forT H AAD miss iles

Trump also caused confusi onin So uthKorea bytel ling R eut e rs heintend s tore neg o t iateo r  t erm in ate the fr e e  tr ade p ac t be tween t he U.S. and SouthK ore a, describing  it  asa "h orr i bl e " d ea l . T h e  agreement will  be target ed fo r renegoti a tio nafter h is gove rnmen t  finish es an ove rhaul ofNA FTAw i thCanada and  Mexico,  he said. 
Hisc om ments  we re mor ecom bativ e than tho se of  his V ic e Pres ident  M ike Penc e, who earlier this mon th tol d bus ine ss leader s i n  So uth Korea  tha t the U.S.  go ver nment  wo u ld wo rk w i th  th e m to"ref o rm" the t r ad e d e a l. 

South Kor e a has  yettor eceive  anofficial requestt o negotiate th e tr a d e d eal ,  a s en ior official o f t he c ountry's  T rade Minist ry toldCN N . The  minis try is  trying t of igureoutwhy  Trump ma dehi s  latest  r em a rks ab outth e agre ement, said t he official, who  decl i n ed to beident if ied byn ame. 

-- James  Griffithsand Pa mela  Boyk off con tr ibuted  to  t his report .  Blue Kni ghts® Inter na tion alLEMC
Last u pdate d: 1 7- Mar 
 become_a key_issue ahead of the_country's presidential_election_on May_9._Parts of the_system arrived at_the deployment site this_week, with officials_saying_it would be operational "in the coming days."

Related: Anti-missile system in South Korea operational_in_'coming days'

The_current_frontrunner_in the election, Moon Jae-in,_has taken a lukewarm stance_on THAAD_and argued the system should not be installed_until_a new administration_is elected.

"It is shameless for the U.S. to ask_South Korea to pay for THAAD_given that they_are_deploying_it not only to_protect South Koreans but also Americans_in South Korea, American territory and_for the security" of the region, said_Kim Ki-jung, a foreign policy adviser_to Moon and a professor_at Yonsei_University in Seoul.

The THAAD battery_in Asia is_part of_a broader network_of defense systems in East Asia._None of them_would be able to protect Seoul,_South_Korea's biggest city_that_lies_only about_35 miles from_the_border with_North_Korea. That distance means it's vulnerable_to_shorter-range rockets and artillery.

China has made clear_its opposition to THAAD,_which_it says is a_threat to its security and_destabilizing for the region, by putting_pressure on_South Korean_companies and the country's tourism industry.

Related: South Korean company to China:_Don't blame us for THAAD missiles

Trump_also caused confusion in_South Korea_by_telling Reuters he_intends_to renegotiate_or terminate the free trade pact between_the U.S._and South Korea, describing it as_a "horrible" deal. The_agreement_will be targeted for renegotiation after_his government finishes an overhaul of_NAFTA with Canada and Mexico,_he_said.

His_comments were more combative than_those of his Vice President Mike_Pence, who earlier_this month told business leaders in South_Korea_that the U.S. government would work_with_them to "reform" the trade deal.

South_Korea_has_yet to receive an official_request to negotiate the trade deal,_a senior official of the country's Trade Ministry told_CNN. The ministry_is trying to figure out_why_Trump_made his latest remarks about the agreement, said the official,_who declined_to be identified_by name.

-- James Griffiths and Pamela Boykoff contributed to this_report. Blue Knights ® International LEMC

Last updated:_17-Mar