If North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Il, hoped to panic southerners, or provoke America and others into rash and aggressive action, he will probably be disappointed. A Russian official on Monday gave warning against any “hysterical” reaction to the latest test by North Korea, but it seems likely that outsiders will not offer Mr Kim the devoted interest that he evidently craves. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
This speculates that North Korea's nuclear test may have been as much about stirring up the international community as it was about galvanizing Kim Jong Il's legacy. Not too deep and a little milky on evidence.
Beside the external geo-political motivations, The Economist identifies North Korea's internal motivations for yesterday's testing, explaining in brief certain aspects of the political situation in the country.
What appears to be a more pressing concern for the regime is that Mr Kim needs to arrange for a successor. He was taken seriously ill last year, apparently having suffered ... More »
As usual, Kim is trying to flex his muscle to try and get attention. While the author's theory or succession may be true, no body really knows what that little man is going to do.
While this is Obama's first "test" with North Korea, he needs to go the Clinton route and have a dialog with this nut.
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