03:45

The South Korean government has released more details about its decision to complete the deployment of a US missile defence system designed to intercept incoming North Korean missiles.

The last four of six terminal high-altitude area defence (Thaad) batteries will become fully operational after the environment ministry on Monday gave its consent to their installation in Seongju, a village in central South Korea where two batteries are already in operation.

A defence ministry survey of the site concluded that Thaad’s impact on the surrounding environment and community would be minimal, saying that electromagnetic radiation from the system’s powerful X-band radar and noise pollution would remain below safety levels set by the government. Villagers had protested against Thaad’s initial deployment in April, claiming it would damage their crops and health.

The additional deployment, which will reportedly begin later this week, will not be without conditions, however. The ministry requires regular radiation assessments that must be observed by residents, and for the result to be made public, according to the Yonhap news agency.

South Korea and the US agreed in 2016 to install the missile defence system to counter the growing threat from North Korean missiles.

China has angrily denounced Thaad as a threat to its own national security, while residents of Seongju say the missile batteries, installed on a golf course, have turned their village into a North Korean target.