A Defense Ministry official says the U.S. antimissile system THAAD is capable of intercepting missiles atop the so-called "keepout altitude," which prevents damage on the ground.
 
Concerns had been raised that debris from an intercepted nuclear or chemical warhead could fall on the ground, causing secondary damage.
 
The official said Thursday that according to data submitted from the U.S. military, THAAD completely detonates warheads at altitudes above the keepout altitude, which refers to a height of ten to 12 kilometers above the ground.
 
Meanwhile, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee during a hearing on Wednesday that North Korean missiles will be immediately intercepted should they strike. Harris said that "if it flies, it will die." 

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