Since South Korea’s decision to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was officially announced at the start of July, there has been no decline in attention to a decision that might have become a politically strategic game-changer in Northeast Asia.

Most of the attention has so far initially focused principally on China’s reactions, resulting in unexpectedly severe and wide-ranging measures that could strain current Chinese–ROK economic and security cooperation. Consequently, Russia’s objections were seen as less important, simply mirroring China’s opposition in a demonstration of unity against U.S. inroads into the region. But Russia now has its own concerns that could result in damaged ties with Seoul, although the South tends to take such matters lightly.