North Korean Bid for Attention

Sunday’s lead article in The New York Times was titled, “North Koreans Launch a Rocket Over the Pacific.” It describes the test of a missile by North Korea, ostensibly to put a satellite in orbit.

In reality, the test was designed to test North Korea’s capability of delivering a nuclear weapon through an ICBM (intercontinetal ballistic missile) capable of reaching portions of Alaska.

I heard a pundit comment about North Korea’s mindset. She said it was similar to when she was talking to her eight-year old, and her three-year-old wanted more attention. Given North Korea’s desire for attention, what is the best way to analyze its motivations?

North Korea originally agreed to shut down its nuclear fuel processing in exchange for more assistance for its people — large numbers are starving and there are shortages of basic necessities of life. Today’s global society will eventually penetrate North Korea, and the people already know about their needy situation compared to South Korea.

Given these inescapable facts, if North Korea’s “Dear Leader” wishes to maintain his government, he must eventually address these fundamental matters. These are the basic facts the rest of the world should emphasize in order to turn back the country’s nuclear capacity.