With Washington determined to rush its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system to the Republic of Korea "as soon as possible", the matter looks more than ever like a "done deal". Which Daniel Russel, United States under-secretary of state for East Asia, said already is.

The costs and benefits of the highly controversial, divisive deployment for all parties concerned have become obvious through tense, intensive prior discourse.

While gaining the illusive sense of security from THAAD, Seoul will face an angrier, unbridled Pyongyang and greater threat from the north, lasting grudge from Beijing and even Moscow, which find their security interests compromised.