The deployment of a controversial US missile defense system in South Korea designed to protect against North Korean aggression could be delayed, Seoul's defense ministry said on Monday.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was due to be built on a golf course owned by the Lotte Group conglomerate in the Seongju region, southeast of South Korea's capital Seoul.

"The plan to go ahead with the exchange will be signed by mid-January, but there is a possibility it will be slightly delayed," South Korean ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said.

He said they were waiting on a meeting with Lotte directors to settle land use fees.

South Korea and the US had said the THAAD deployment was to protect against North Korea's growing nuclear and ballistic capabilities.

Heavy regional opposition

But China strongly objected, saying its powerful radar could penetrate Chinese territory. This led to some South Korea opposition leaders to call for its delay or cancellation. They argued that the security benefits would be outweighed by worsened relations with China and Russia.

Chinese president Xi Jinping (r.), here with South Korean counterpart Park Geun-Hye, has voiced his concern over the project

China and Russia railed against the deployment, warning of unspecified retaliation and a sharp downturn in relations with Seoul if it went ahead.

"China believes it is a serious threat to China's security interests and for the region," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said last week.

"I believe that as long as our country has legitimate security concerns, it is understandable that necessary measures be taken to safeguard such interests."

Local landowners also protested against its use saying it would destroy melon crops and make the area a target for North Korea.

Local residents hold up banners saying "Desperately oppose deploying THAAD"

Effect of political crisis

South Korea is currently in the midst of a political crisis after lawmakers voted to impeach incumbent President Park Geun-hye over an influence-peddling scandal. If upheld by the Constitutional Court, the motion will trigger new presidential elections.

Presidential hopeful Moon Jae-in said its deployment should wait until the next administration is elected.

Potential rival candidate, former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said on Sunday it was appropriate for THAAD to be deployed in the country.

"Since the reality is the Korean peninsula is in a quasi-war-like state, such action made by the government is appropriate," Ban was quoted by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency as saying.

aw/rt (Reuters, AP)