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| Image credits- KCNA |
North Korea is at it again. Today they again they test fired another missile, this time speculated to be their ICBM Hwasong-15. The said missile flew above Japan and fell into the Japanese exclusive economic zone. What is different about this test is the fact that the missile seems to have a range of more than 13,000/- kilometres which is enough to cover most of continental United States.
North Korea seems to to be improving on it's missile and nuclear weapon technology. The above test comes soon after a nuclear test by North Korea of a weapon that is seen to be by far their largest to date. What the world especially the USA should worry is the unpredictable nature of the North Korean regime. The North Korean regime has a declared policy of seeing the USA as their principal enemy. That is imprinted in their psyche. North Korea has sene what has happened to Libya and Iraq and how their rulers were disposed by the USA and see nuclear weapons as the only guarantee to deter America. But what has worried the world most is the fact that North Korea is ruled by an inexperienced ruler who does not seem to shy away from a confrontation with America.
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| Credits- KCNA |
The Enigma called North Korea
North Korea is the last frontier. It zealously guards it's privacy and is the most isolated country in the world. Even though there are several stories about gross human rights violations and poverty inside North Korea, nobody seems to have any idea of what is going on. But two ominous occurrences have taken place in the recent days that cast apprehension for the world. One is the recent trend of boats getting into Japanese shores carrying decomp[osed bodies. Even though nobody seems to know what this means, it is speculated that these bodies might be of those who may be trying to leave North Korea or of those fishermen. But what is most shocking is the fact that they seem to be severely malnourished. The second incident concerns that of a North Korean soldier who has escaped to Soth Korea. When he was treated, it has come to notice that he had worms in his stomach that may have come from intake of bad quality food. Now, what do these incidents tell us? It tells us that something is not right inside North Korea. Things seem to be really bad. If things get worse, the ruler Kim may try to create another front and a war may ensue.
The Diplomatic Course
The best path to break a logjam is the Diplomatic Course. But there seems to be little leverage on North Korea with the international community. With each test, the United Nations has imposed sanctions which seems to be tougher and tougher but North Korea seems to be becoming more and more immune to such economic coercive measures. China, which has traditionally been one of the closest allies seems to have lost their leverage. Russia, which is the only other ally also seems to be helpless. There seems to be no incentive to coerce North Korea to back down from this path of nuclearisation.
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| Credits- KSNA |
Is The War Inevitable
It seems the options are running out for the international community. The point of tipping is fast approaching. A time will soon come when the world will be forced to act against North Korea militarily. Such preemptive strike may be required to cap North Korean Weapon program before it becomes stable. But the inevitable cost of war and it's effect on it's neighbours may have deterred the powers from taking such step, but the provocative actions of the Kim regime may, in the end, force the hand of the international community. The ball is in the North Korean court and only time will tell how the story plays out. In the meanwhile, we can only keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.
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