Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed concerns to South Korea's ambassador over Seoul's decision to begin formal consultations on bringing in the U.S. THAAD missile defense system to the country to defend against North Korean threats.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov conveyed the concern during a meeting with Amb. Park Ro-byug, the ministry said.

Shortly after North Korea's missile launch on Sunday, South Korea and the U.S. jointly announced they would begin official discussions on the possible placement of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in South Korea. 

Like China, Russia has opposed the possible deployment of THAAD, seeing it as a threat to their security interests.

The U.S. has repeatedly said that the system is aimed only at deterring North Korean threats. (Yonhap)