The guy is definitely senile. I am certain his generals have told him the history behind THAAD, the missile defense system.
The US had asked South Korea for years to allow THAAD to be installed in Korea. Korea refused. With THAAD in Korea, the US can monitor missiles launched from China, Russia and North Korea sooner.
If North Korea, China or Russia launch missiles at Korea, there is very little time to react. In addition it would ruin good relations with China. Also many Koreans, do not want THAAD in Korea.
CBS News: Why wouldn't S. Korea want U.S. missile defenses? (June 14, 2014)
Stars and Stripes: Why do so many South Koreans hate THAAD? It’s complicated
Former President Keun-hye Park agreed to give permission to install THAAD in Korea in retaliation for North Korean missile launches. She also agreed to give land free of charge for the installations.
Because South Korea installed THAAD, China retaliated by stopping group tours from visiting Korea and cracking down on Korean companies in China. A Korean company, Lotte, had their stores in China inspected and all failed to pass inspection and were forced to closed. After a couple of years of closed stores, Lotte sold their businesses in China for a loss. In total, Lotte probably lost over 10 billion dollars. Korea's tourist economy has probably suffered tens of billions of dollars over the past few years. The land where THAAD was installed used to be land for a golf course and belonged to the Lotte Group. They were pressured by public opinion to sell the land to the government. If they didn't sell, people would complain about them being unpatriotic.
CBS News: Angered by U.S. anti-missile system, China takes economic revenge
The US did little, if anything, to defend South Korea from Chinese retaliation.
As soon as North Korea denuclearizes, South Korea has promised China that it would remove the THAAD installations. This is something that the US generals do not want.
After being told all this by his generals, Trump wants Korea to pay for THAAD?
Definitely senile, IMHO. Trump called President Moon a couple of days ago and demanded that South Korea pay for THAAD.
To Trump, don't worry. In a short time, you can take THAAD back! South Korea has no reason to pay for something that the US wanted and pushed for.
