A U.S. strategic commander will not likely bring up the possible deployment of a U.S. advanced missile-defense system on Korean soil while in Seoul next week, the Ministry of National Defense here said Thursday.

Adm. Cecil Haney, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Sunday for a four-day visit, during which he is to meet with key defense officials here including the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Adm. Choi Yun-hee.

It is his first visit since taking office in November 2013, with his predecessor last coming here in June 2012.

The planned trip "is aimed at discussing with South Korean officials about how to jointly respond to threats by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs," Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said.

His visit came amid renewed tensions on the peninsula, as North Korea has been further zeroing in on developing ballistic missiles, miniaturized warheads to fit atop them and their delivery means.

Last month, Pyongyang announced that it succeeded in conducting an underwater test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

The spokesman, however, dismissed media speculations that high on the agenda will be the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery.

"As you are well aware, (the THAAD issue) will be dealt with between the governments of the two countries, if the U.S. makes a decision to bring one here," Kim said. "The strategic commander is not supposed to refer to the issue, as I understand it."

Washington has expressed its willingness to deploy the battery on the Korean Peninsula to better protect South Korea and some 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country from North Korea's threats.

The allies have said no official consultations or decisions have taken place on the matter, with Seoul making it clear that it has no plan to purchase the system.

"The commander would not formally bring up the issue while meeting with South Korean officials, though he would discuss it with the U.S. officers stationed here," a Seoul official said, requesting anonymity.

The U.S. Forces Korea has said it has gone through a process for a decision on whether to introduce the THAAD system here. In March, it said "informal surveys" have been conducted to find suitable sites in the event of a possible future deployment.

As one of the U.S. nine Unified Combatant Commander established in 1992, the Strategic Command is in charge of missile defense, intelligence, global strike and strategic deterrence including its nuclear arsenal and combating weapons of mass destruction. (Yonhap)