ROK vows to consult China, resolve anti-missile system issue

The Republic of Korea should respect China's major interests and concern over an anti-missile system, China's top diplomat said on Friday.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi made the remarks while meeting with Lee Hae-chan, special envoy of the President of the ROK Moon Jae-in, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Lee replied that the ROK understands China's concern over the deployment of the United States Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system. The ROK would like to strengthen talks and consultation with China to properly resolve of relevant issues, he said.

Yang called on the ROK to create opportunities for the restoration of China-ROK mutual trust and the smooth development of bilateral ties in future.

Noting that the Sino-ROK relationship is of great importance, Yang said that the special envoy's visit shows that the ROK president paid much attention to bilateral ties with China.

The state councilor pointed out that President Xi Jinping had spoken to Moon on the phone after the ROK president took office, during which the two presidents exchanged views on the development of Sino-ROK ties.

Lee said that before his trip, the ROK president had told him to have intensive talks and communication with Chinese leaders at a time when the ROK-China relationship is in difficulties.

The ROK acknowledged that the deployment of the THAAD had harmed ROK-China mutual trust and exchanges, Lee told Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday, adding that the ROK is ready to look for a proper solution to the issue with sincerity.