The presidential office in Seoul has defended its decision for the U.S. deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery, calling it a self defense measure.

Presidential Spokesman Jeong Yeon-guk on Monday addressed China and Russia's concerns over the presence of the American advanced missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula.

He said that the planned deployment of THAAD is a self-defense decision to protect the lives of South Koreans and their property, reiterating his previous remarks in February that the decision must be made for national security and interest.

South Korea and the U.S. announced on Friday that the U.S. troops in South Korea will deploy the missile interceptor battery, which will be in operation at least by the end of next year.