North Korea continues to play cops and robbers with the international community, excelling in the latter role with the use of deception to enhance its nuclear weapons arsenal.
Sanctions, in retrospect, are not working to their fullest limit. While his population continues to die as a result of starvation and deprivation of basic necessities, Kim Jong-un demonstrates his unrelenting arrogance by using the nuclear programme as a political tool to gain international concessions and show his strength at home.
More robust strategies are required to limit North Korea’s progress. Three nuclear tests have already been carried out, with the last one being in February this year. A fourth one could put the issue of uranium enrichment beyond doubt.
While the leadership’s bark has been seen as worse than its bite, efforts must be made to muzzle the government completely. This prevents the escalation of tensions where the world is compelled to play guessing games and gives Kim the breathing space that he requires to go ahead with his nuclear mission before he pulls off a surprise that rearranges the agenda for negotiations by putting him in a position of strength.
