China urges South Korea to stop Thaad deployment

Beijing: After the South Korean frontrunner in presidential polls argued to delay the deployment, China urged South Korea on Friday to stop deployment of an advanced US missile defence system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (Thaad).

Moon Jae-in, former head of the main opposition Minjoo Party, said in Seoul on Thursday the Thaad installation issue should be postponed to let the next administration reconsider it, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I have noticed the report. China has repeatedly expressed serious concerns and firm opposition to Thaad deployment," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

He said Thaad deployment in South Korea would gravely undermine regional strategic balance and the strategic security interests of countries in the region, including China, and also harm the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.