How to Respond to N. Korea’s ICBM Test

North Korea’s ICBM Launch: A Response to Kim’s Miscalculation – On March 24, North Korea possibly tested its new Hwasong-17 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Kim Jong-un broke part of his self-imposed moratorium on ICBM (and nuclear) tests that he promised the former U.S. president and the outgoing South Korean president in 2018. Kim must be made to understand he has miscalculated. The ROK/U.S. alliance must execute a new strategy.The timing for this is not unusual and Kim’s action was not unexpected. On the same day, the U.S. president attended an emergency NATO meeting to discuss responses to Putin’s War in Ukraine. In South Korea, a contentious presidential transition is underway. North Korea is under enormous pressure from its failed economy, COVID mitigation measures, natural disasters, and sanctions. In addition, there are ongoing political, economic, and security challenges with the revisionist (China and Russia) and rogue (Iran and North Korea) powers around the world. North Korea is consumed with domestic problems and the U.S. is distracted by global challenges.The Biden Administration has called for negotiations with North Korea anytime, anywhere, and without preconditions. Kim Jong-un …

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