Thornberry leads bipartisan delegation to South Korea

(Correction: A previous version of the story reported the United States recently sent four additional THAAD systems to South Korea. Four additional launchers have been sent.)

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), who recently introduced legislation to bolster U.S. national security investments in the Asia Pacific, is visiting the region on a four-nation tour this week.

Thornberry, accompanied by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, is in South Korea today on the eve of a planned U.S. missile defense test over the Pacific Ocean intended to simulate a North Korean attack.

"Our troops have stood side-by-side with the South Koreans for more than 60 years defending democracy and ensuring stability on the peninsula and in the region," Thornberry said in a statement.

Thornberry is joined by Reps. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Austin Scott (R-GA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI).

"The country's new president, Moon Jae-in, recently committed to an increase in defense spending, which the delegation expressed gratitude for when meeting with several top officials. The leaders discussed a range of issues, including continued provocations by North Korea," according to a statement from the House Armed Services Committee.

Thornberry's visit, however, comes following news that President Moon has ordered an investigation after the defense ministry failed to inform him the United States delivered four additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launchers to South Korea.

The United States deployed the first THAAD battery on the Korean Peninsula in March to counter growing ballistic missile threats from North Korea, but the system has proved controversial with some South Korean lawmakers, who see it as an unsettling expansion of U.S. military influence.

President Trump has suggested South Korea pay $1 billion for the THAAD system.

Meanwhile, Thornberry said the U.S.-South Korea alliance is "as critical today as it ever has been. We appreciate the sustained and significant investment South Korea makes in defense. They provide a strong example for other nations to follow."