South Koreans have launched protests against the deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in the country. They are questioning the legitimacy of the decision by both the US and South Korean governments. In the southeastern Seongju county where the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or the THAAD system will be deployed, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn tried to allay the concerns of residents.

But protesters pelted him with eggs and water bottles. He was also blocked by residents from leaving the area for more than six hours. Last week, Seoul and Washington jointly announced the deployment of the THAAD system. Neighboring countries like China and Russia said the US missile system threatens peace and order in the Korean Peninsula and the East Asian region.