N. Korea condemns S. Korea's move to deploy THAAD

North Korea on Saturday criticized the United States for its moves to deploy an advanced missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula, apparently amid rising concerns that such a move may weigh down on its state defense.

The Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the Workers' Party, said it is "unlikely" that South Korea and the United States did not discuss the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) last month during the visit of Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff to Seoul.

The state media said it will immediately take revenge if even "a blaze of fire" hits North Korean territory from South Korea and the U.S.

The warning came as the U.S. military officer visited South Korea late last month for talks with his counterpart on boosting the bilateral alliance. There was keen attention on whether the two sides would discuss the possible deployment of the advanced U.S. missile-defense system here.

South Korea, however, said the two parties did not discuss issues on the THAAD system during the visit.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is also scheduled to visit South Korea on April 9-11 for his first face-to-face talks with South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and other senior officials. He is expected to focus on how to strengthen joint defense capabilities against North Korea.

THAAD has been the focus of attention in South Korea, as Washington has expressed its willingness to deploy it here. (Yonhap)