THAAD deployment halts all S. Korea-China high-level defence talks

South Korea's decision to deploy advanced missile defense systems on its soil has led to the suspension of all high-level defense talks with China, Yonhap news agency quoted sources as saying on Sunday.

An official here said the planned meeting between Seoul's Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan has been put on hold. He said the military strategy policy talks chaired by vice defense minister level officials that have been held every year since 2011 has also be suspended, hinting that China has been lukewarm about talks.

"China has not extended an invitation to Han, and our government has not asked," the defense ministry source, who did not wished to be identified, said.

He pointed out that senior Chinese officials have persistently warned that THAAD will hurt government-to-government and military ties that have been expanding in scope and depth in recent years. 

Seoul agreed to station the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense in July to better cope with North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats.

Seoul views the deployment as a way to better defend the country, but Beijing has stringently opposed THAAD, claiming it undermines its national interests and destabilizes the balance of power in Northeast Asia.

Some military experts said that weakening of military ties could adversely affect Seoul's ability to deal with future North Korean missile and nuclear provocations.

Source: MENA