If this system is actually combat ready any time in the near future, it has very large geopolitical consequences. The Korean peninsula has mutually assured destruction (and thus stability) because the South could destroy the North easily militarily (and with the help of the USA), but not before the North shelled Seoul (the South's capital and largest city) to the ground with artillery rounds.
Because Seoul is so close to the border, it has allowed the North to have a standoff with the south without needing a nuclear deterrence. The North will need to step up their second strike nuclear capabilities, or get strong assurances from China that China will step in in case of invasion if this defense system works and is deployed over Seoul.
Because Seoul is so close to the border, it has allowed the North to have a standoff with the south without needing a nuclear deterrence. The North will need to step up their second strike nuclear capabilities, or get strong assurances from China that China will step in in case of invasion if this defense system works and is deployed over Seoul.