SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — The United States military is this week installing an anti-missile defense system in South Korea to counter potential attacks from North Korea against its neighbors and the U.S.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery (THAAD) is being installed by U.S. and South Korean forces at a golf course in Seongju County, South Korea amid heightened tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.

The anti-missile system consists of a truck-mounted launcher, a transportable radar system and control, and communication centers.

The system is designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles deployed from enemy territory. When the radar system detects an incoming missile, the interceptor is launched to meet the target head-on using kinetic energy to eliminate the immediate threat.

The installation of the anti-missile defense system comes in advance of South Korea’s presidential election on May 9. Liberal candidate Moon Jae-in, who opposes THAAD, is leading in the polls.

China has expressed concern about the system’s installation, claiming the move “will harm strategic balance in the region and further stimulate tensions on the Korean Peninsula,” according to a statement by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, CNN reported.

Protests are mounting near the THAAD site, with hundreds of demonstrators speaking out against the anti-missile system on Wednesday.

U.S. Pacific Command commander Admiral Harry Harris said THAAD will be operational within the coming days, NPR reported.