4 Apr 2013

Guam comforted US missile back up sends message to North Korea

4:21 pm on 4 April 2013

A former Guam senator says the United States moving a missile defence system to the territory sends a message to North Korea not to play around with US communities.

The Pentagon says it will be deploying an advanced missile defence system, which includes a truck-mounted launcher, interceptor missiles, 2 tracking radar and an integrated fire control system to Guam.

Judith Guthertz says missile defence was an original part of the troop build up, as the US moves troops to Guam from Japan.

"I think Guam is taking on a much more visible role, with the Department of Defence. They are projecting now that the build up on Guam would not be completed until 2020, but I think this threat from Korea is going to speed that up. The United States needs Guam, not just for Guam, but for all our allies in the Asia region."

Judith Guthertz says people are comforted by the US moving the missile defence system.