South Korean ministers declare support for US antimissile system
The deployment of the antimissile battery, known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, had been approved under Park Geun-hye, the South Korean president who was ousted on corruption charges in March.
The fate of the missile battery, some of whose key components have already been installed in South Korea, had threatened to become a contentious topic when Moon meets with President Trump in Washington this week.
Since taking office, Moon has ordered his government to stop installing additional components of THAAD until it completes a domestic review, including an environmental assessment.
On Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said the domestic review was to strengthen public support for the missile system by shoring up its political legitimacy.
Since his election, however, Moon has sought to dispel misgivings that his government would weaken the relationship, repeatedly emphasizing its importance.