That evening, the first components of the THAAD missile defence system, including two launchers, arrived at Osan airbase in South Korea, prompting renewed protests and further reported sanctions by China. Meanwhile, in Seoul, the Constitutional Court’s verdict on President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment is expected imminently. Protesters for and against the president are facing off, raising the spectre of civil disorder. Extremists have threatened violence.
Washington's review of US North Korea policy is a wildcard, with all options (including military) said to be under discussion.
The murder of Kim Jong-un’s half-brother and subsequent diplomatic row make outreach to Pyongyang harder to argue for.
South Korea’s likely next president's commitment to engaging with Pyongyang will create friction with Tokyo and probably Washington too.
With neither Beijing nor Seoul minded to back down, the THAAD row will further damage business and political ties.
