North Korea, US play cat-and-mouse

North Korea has tested its nuclear missile capability again, like it did in 2019. Both

South Korea and Japan condemned the launch and are set to meet next week to discuss their responses. But is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un testing missiles, or testing US President Joe Biden’s reaction? The Trump administration asked Kim to halt its nuclear programme — Kim demurred, and sanctions against his country continued.

With a new US administration, Kim might be testing the waters on how Biden will react.

But on the receiving end of Kim’s cat-andmouse game are neighbouring South Korea and Japan, which describe the recent missile launch as a “threat to the peace and security” of their regions. Some might say that recent history teaches dictators that the best safeguard against the US invading your country to bring “freedom” is to have your own nuclear weapons.

Photo: AFP Showing flames: North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency released this picture of a test fire of newly developed tactical guided projectile at an undisclosed location. Traditionally, the rules of this game are that it’s now Joe Biden’s turn to react.