In a characteristic act of defiance against Western governments, the North Korean military launched a second ballistic missile in a week, according to South Korean military, the New York Times reports.
Western leaders were preparing to approach the government of Kim Jong-un to discuss spinning down North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs, in exchange for loosening of the severe sanctions in place against the Kim regime.
While the Biden Administration’s position toward North Korea has been one of stern acceptance, the previous administration provided a world stage on which the Kim regime legitimized himself. With the change of leadership in the White House, Kim is back to being a minor pest in world politics.