China, Russia reiterate concern over THAAD deployment in South Korea

China and Russia have again voiced serious concern over the deployment of the United States anti-ballistic missile system Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in South Korea.

At a fourth meeting on Northeast Asia security held in Moscow on Thursday, Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov noted that such an unilateral and non-constructive action taken by Washington brings negative effects to the strategic balance, security and stability of the region and the world, reports Xinhua.

Expressing firm opposition to issues relevant to the THAAD deployment, both sides agreed to enhance coordination in order to protect the strategic security of China, Russia and other regional countries.

The officials also said the two countries would continue to push forward the settlement of the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula through dialogues and negotiations, in particular the irreplaceable platform of Six Party Talks.

They added that to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, it is necessary to reduce military and political tensions, downscale the military drills held in the region and build mutual trust.

They also urged South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to resume dialogues to achieve inter-Korean reconciliation.

Earlier this month, Seoul and Washington announced the agreement to install one THAAD battery in Seongju, to counter the nuclear and missile threats posed by the DPRK.