Is North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Making A Mistake?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). KCNA via REUTERS

Gordon G. Chang, National Interest: Did North Korea Just Make a Grave Mistake?

Pyongyang, no doubt, is entering into a far more assertive phase. Given the overall situation, that would undoubtedly be a grave mistake for the regime. When regimes make grave mistakes, something must be wrong internally.

North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un late last month promised to “shift to a shocking actual action”; hinted he would no longer honor a “commitment” to a testing moratorium; and “confirmed that the world will witness a new strategic weapon.” There was also a reference to “the ultra-modern weapon system.”

Kim’s threats were delivered during the four-day 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party, which ended December 31.

Pyongyang, no doubt, is entering into a far more assertive phase. Given the overall situation, that would undoubtedly be a grave mistake for the regime. When regimes make grave mistakes, something must be wrong internally.

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WNU Editor: Gordon G. Chang is right that expectations of a better life is now the state of mind for most North Koreans. The country is no longer a "closed country". North Koreans know how their neighbours are living, and they want the same thing. Failure to meet these expectations will result in a backlash against Kim Jong Un, starting within his inner circle and among the cadres within the Party.