Promising signs that peninsula stakeholders might work together

The Republic of Korea has reportedly suspended the rollout of a controversial US missile defense system on its soil after its President Moon Jae-in ordered an environment impact assessment.

This is expected to allow more time and room for Seoul to fully weigh the pros and cons of deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system and it is to be hoped it arrives at a more rational decision that accommodates the concerns of all parties.

The installment of the THAAD system in the ROK, a decision made during the administration of impeached and ousted president Park Geun-hye, has complicated the already combustible situation on the Korean Peninsula and worsened the ROK's ties with China.