US moving parts of THAAD anti-missile system from S. Korea to Middle East: report

The United States has been moving parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system from South Korea to the Middle East, the Washington Post reported, citing two officials.

The reported movement of parts of a THAAD missile defense system comes amid media reports that the U.S. military stationed in South Korea has shipped out some of its military assets amid an intensifying war in the Middle East.

"The Pentagon is moving parts of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East," the report said.

The THAAD batteries, which smash enemy missiles during their final phase of flight, have been deployed in South Korea to better cope with North Korea's missile threats.

Earlier in the day, President Lee Jae Myung told a Cabinet meeting that a potential relocation of military assets owned by U.S. Forces Korea will not affect the deterrence posture against North Korea.