No China concessions on THAAD

People protest against the deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in front of the Lotte Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Feb 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

In response to what it said was China's trade retaliation for the Republic of Korea's deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system, the policy committee of the ruling Liberty Korea Party is considering filing a complaint to the World Trade Organization.

"We will actively consider whether China's action is in violation of the South Korea-China free trade deal, while stepping up efforts to minimize damage on South Korean industries," said Lee Hyun-jae, chairman of the committee.

The ROK's decision to deploy THAAD has hurt its economic and trade relations with China. It is impractical for the ROK government to be a cat's paw of the United States on the one hand, while on the other hand, trying to classify its dispute with China as purely economic and trade friction, and expect Chinese people to swallow the bitter pill of the worsening regional situation.

The deployment of THAAD in the ROK seriously sabotages the established strategic equilibrium in Northeast Asia and crosses the national security bottom line of countries in the region, including China.

The ROK's strained ties with China as a consequence of its decision are by no means limited to just economic and trade relations. China has made crystal-clear its opposition to THAAD. The ROK should be well aware of the US' strategic intention in advancing the deployment of its THAAD system and the consequences for regional peace and stability.

It is natural for a country to seek to maximize its own interests in international exchanges. But such moves must pay due respect to other countries' core interests.

On issues concerning its core interests, such as the ROK's deployment of THAAD, it is unlikely China will remain indifferent and make unprincipled concessions. The ROK should reconsider its decision.