In recent days, South Korean President Park Geun-hye has seemed unhappy as six lawmakers of the main opposition party, Minjoo, left for Beijing to discuss the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) with Chinese experts.

Park denounced their visit, saying that the opposition party is attempting to “divide and betray” the country, as the visit serves to further split public opinion over THAAD deployment. The opposition party refuted Park’s accusation as “a twisting of the facts.”

Certainly, the past few days have not been easy for Park. She admitted that she has been losing sleep over the opposition to THAAD deployment. But, she said, she was aware when she made the decision that the missile defense system would be highly controversial.

Now it’s time for a final resolution. The South Korean government needs to listen carefully to what dissenting voices are saying. It is unwise for Seoul to simply get angry at the opposition party without acknowledging its arguments.

The dissenting voices have been increasing ever since Seoul and Washington announced their decision about THAAD deployment. The justifications cited by the South Korean government lost credibility once it was proven that Seoul is actually beyond the protection zone afforded by the system.

Other arguments cited by the government also failed to convince the public. The U.S. army even invited South Korea to measure the electromagnetic radiation of the radars for its THAAD system deployed in Guam. However, the South Korean people did not buy it, believing that a single measurement taken without a third-party witness would not be convincing.

Faced with mounting public pressure, the South Korean government opted for a compromise and proposed another deployment site. However, instead of easing public complaints, this announcement only triggered more questions over the necessity of the deployment.

What’s more, the accusations of betrayal that the South Korean government has leveled against the opposition are being perceived as entirely unreasonable. The lawmakers of the Minjoo party have made clear that their visit to China is aimed at the improvement of China-South Korea ties, which have been hindered by THAAD deployment. Their real concern is that Park’s persistence will undermine the two countries’ bilateral ties and ultimately hurt South Korea’s interests.

What Park has done to the lawmakers reminds many people of the failure of the Saenuri party in the congressional election in April. Some believe that the governing party wants to pressure their opponents so they can gain more ground in the presidential election next year.

Meanwhile, China is unwilling to get swept up in this issue. Alert to the possibility of damaging its strategic interests, China has repeatedly opposed the deployment of the THAAD system and advised South Korea to think long and hard before making the monumental decision. China has declared its position to all parties, including the opposition party of South Korea, and has no need to “buy” anyone’s support. Therefore, China has no reason to object to the South Korean lawmakers’ visit to Beijing.

One must always keep an open mind to different opinions when making important decisions. The pros and cons may not have been properly weighed before the South Korean government decided to deploy the THAAD system. As more negative effects come to light, the South Korean government seems to be realizing the serious consequences of its rash decision.

If the South Korean government continues to take its anger out on others, it will not only fail to justify the deployment, but also trigger more disastrous consequences.

(The author is an expert on international affairs.)