China’s defense minister expressed concerns over the U.S.’ possible deployment of an advanced missile defense asset to the peninsula during a meeting with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul on Wednesday.

Seoul’s Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Chang Wanquan held the countries’ first top-level defense talks since 2011 to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues including North Korea’s nuclear threats.

“The Chinese side conveyed their worries about the possible deployment of the Theater High-Altitude Area Defense system to the peninsula,” a senior Seoul defense official told reporters, refusing to elaborate further on Chang’s remarks for diplomatic courtesy.

“Minister Han said that Seoul’s stance remains unchanged. No decision has been made by the U.S. and Washington has yet to call for any official consultation with Seoul on the issue,” he said, declining to be named.

The issue of the THAAD deployment has emerged as one of the thorniest issues in South Korea-China relations since the U.S. expressed its desire last year to bring in the missile defense asset here to better counter North Korean threats. China believes the THAAD could potentially target it.

Seoul has so far maintained a cautious stance as the deployment of any core U.S. missile defense assets would be perceived as participation in the U.S.-led missile shield program to the detriment of Seoul’s relations with Beijing and Moscow.

To avoid fraying ties with the regional powers, Seoul has been working on developing its independent Korea Air and Missile Defense system ― a low-tier, multiple-interception program that destroys incoming missiles at altitudes of 40-50 km.

Chang is the first Chinese defense chief to visit Seoul since 2006. Later in the day, he met with President Park Geun-hye at Cheong Wa Dae.

During the defense ministers’ talks, the two sides agreed to establish a hotline between the two ministries at an early date this year to deepen strategic communication and bilateral cooperation.

Seoul also agreed to return the remains of 68 Chinese troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War in March. Last year, Seoul repatriated the remains of 437 Chinese troops as part of efforts to improve the bilateral partnership.

The Chinese minister shared the view that the South Korea-U.S. alliance contributes to deterring North Korean provocations and managing stability and peace in East Asia, Seoul officials said.

Han explained in response that Seoul’s basic position is to pursue a “harmonious development” of a comprehensive alliance with the U.S. and a strategic partnership with China, the officials said.

On the issue of cyberthreats, the two sides recognize the need for enhanced cooperation as the issue concerning the new security domain has become an international one that requires a transnational approach.

Following the meeting, Chang headed to Cheong Wa Dae for talks with Park.

The president called for China’s support for Seoul’s efforts to lay the groundwork for national reunification.

“I think it is about time (for the two Koreas) to work together to increase bilateral exchanges and make substantive progress for our efforts toward reunification, through some kind of inter-Korean dialogue,” Park told Chang.

“In that regard, I think it is time for the international community including China to pay more attention and offer cooperation for our efforts to lay the foundation for reunification.”

Chang is to leave Seoul on Thursday.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)