3: LET KIM GO NUCLEAR

The least likely option is to accept the Kim regime will have nuclear weapons – but only use them to defend against the West forcing regime change.

North Korea is very unlikely to want nuclear war. It loves making threats but would only use nukes to defend itself against a threat to its regime in an act of self-preservation.

And this would mean the rest of the world would have to accept North Korea, the most secretive and arguably the most oppressive society ever, being nuclear-armed. The constant need to swear violence against “evil” countries such as America is what makes the Kim regime thrive, as it rallies his people around him. It is entirely possible that North Korea could go nuclear and be managed. But this is a highly dangerous strategy in the long-term, as future generations may have to pay the price for inaction. Many analysts believe he cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons – ever.

This is because North Korea is a communist state and would eventually look beyond its borders for expansion.

That would inevitably include soaking up South Korea – and that is not what the West wants.

But most importantly, Kim’s regime is not rational and has no diplomatic mechanism. If North Korea had an argument with a foreign power it would always be able to use nukes as leverage – or simply fire them.

North Korea has treated its citizens with such ruthlessness it would almost certainly use the weapons against foreigners.