The already fragile situation in Northeast Asia will only worsen if the US and South Korea deploy an advanced missile defense system to the Korean Peninsula in response to "provocative" moves by North Korea.

The two allies once again threatened to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles in midair, as a response to North Korea's launch of an Earth-observation satellite allegedly to test ballistic missile technology.

The likely THAAD deployment, which also came a month after the North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test, is detrimental to efforts to solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula as it is likely to trigger an arms race in the troubled region.

The defense system could become a blasting fuse rather than a guard, as it would probably irritate North Korea, which is already feeling insecure in the face of hostile US policies, a major contributor to the regional predicament.

North Korea's past responses to the US' hostile moves indicate that the Asian country's reaction to the THAAD deployment would very likely escalate regional tensions, thus launching a vicious cycle on the Korean Peninsula.

Any move that can escalate the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula or any intention to trigger an arms race in the region should be avoided at such a sensitive time.

However, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula will remain unresolved as long as the US remains reluctant to change its hostile North Korean policies.

Key regional stakeholders, including China and Russia, have made it clear that they oppose the potential deployment of the defense system.

It would be unwise for the US to act arbitrarily in disregard of international opposition just to serve its own interests of carrying out its "pivot to Asia" strategy.

"China holds a consistent and clear stance on the anti-missile issue," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. "When pursuing its own security, one country should not impair other's security interests."

The US and its allies in the region should remember that dialogue and consultation are the only viable way to solve the conflict on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining its peace and stability, and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation are China's consistent stance toward the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

The deployment of THAAD is not the solution to the predicament on the Korean Peninsula, but sincere talks and well-intended negotiations are a step in the right direction.

Given the fragility of the situation, it is advisable for the US and South Korea to be more cautious on the issue before taking any further action.

The authors are writers with the Xinhua News Agency. The article first appeared on Xinhua. opinion@globaltimes.com