Story highlights THAAD can target short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles in flight

North Korea claimed to have successfully put Earth Observation satellite into orbit Sunday

Launch viewed as "strategic provocation" by South Korea, U.S.

Seoul (CNN) South Korea and the U.S. are to formally discuss deploying the THAAD missile defense system, after North Korea claimed to have successfully launched a satellite into space.

THAAD is an acronym for the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, which can target short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles in flight.

The North Korean launch of the carrier rocket Kwangmyongsong Sunday, carrying Earth Observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, was a "strategic provocation," said Yoo Jeh-seung, head of Defense Planning, South Korean Defense Ministry.

"The Republic of Korea and the U.S. assesses that North Korea's nuclear test and its long-range missile test is a severe threat against peace and stability of Republic of Korea and Asia Pacific Region," Yoo said.

"In response to the increasing North Korea's threat, ROK and the U.S. will officially discuss deploying THAAD to U.S. Forces in Korea to improve its missile defense posture," he added.

A file image of the "THAAD" anti-missile defense rocket.

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