Liberal opposition politician Moon Jae-in downplayed concerns that backtracking by South Korea on the plans would cause tension with the United States, which he said was the "most important country" for South Korea in face of nuclear-armed rival North Korea. So far, Beijing has only hinted at economic retaliation against South Korea, with scattered reports of canceled visits by South Korean film stars and singers and shipments of South Korean cosmetics being held up at customs. It could also send Chinese coast guard ships to escort fishing boats into waters claimed by South Korea, dispatch military aircraft and ships into South Korean air and sea space and suggest that it might do less to restrain North Korea from provocative behavior, Roy said. "China still has a large number of strings it could pull to punish South Korea," he said. In addition to withholding help on North Korea, Russia could also harden its position in Syria, where it is allied with Bashar Assad's government against anti-regime forces friendly to the United States.

Source: ABC News January 13, 2017 08:58 UTC