China on Friday urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) to stop deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), after the ROK's frontrunner in presidential polls argued to delay the deployment.

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.

"I have noticed the report. China has repeatedly expressed serious concerns and firm opposition to THAAD deployment," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang at a routine press briefing.

He said THAAD deployment in the ROK 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.

Geng urged relevant countries to face up to China's reasonable concerns and stop THAAD deployment.

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