SEOUL - US Forces Korea has confirmed that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system deployed last week in the southeastern Republic of Korea is "operational".

The system has the ability to "intercept missiles" from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and "defend South Korea", USFK spokesman Rob Manning said on Tuesday.

Last week, about 20 US trucks and trailers carried THAAD components, including radar, to a golf course designated for the system in the village of Soseong-ri in Seongju county, North Gyeongsang province.