THE US recommitted yesterday to plans to deploy a nuclear missile fleet in South Korea later this year, despite objections from China that it could destabalise the security of the region.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis flew to South Korea on Thursday to discuss the deployment of THAAD anti-ballistic missiles there with South Korean and Japanese officials.

“Were it not for the provocative behaviour of North Korea, we would have no need for THAAD out here.” he said.