Isolated and nuclear-armed, dictator Kim Jong-un keeps world on edge

Amid claims and counterclaims between North Korea and the Pentagon about whether the regime can miniaturize nuclear weapons to fit atop a missile, North Korea has scotched a rare visit UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Ban was taking a peace mission tomorrow that would have made him the first UN chief to visit the North in more than two decades. North Korea gave no reason for the canceled visit. But the move underscores the isolation of the dictator, who also has been touting the country’s nuclear powers–most recently, a warhead that could fit on a ballistic missile. It recently boasted of a successful submarine missile test.

That is why the administration…is continuing to work with the other members of the six-party talks to bring North Korea back into compliance with its nonproliferation commitments.

U.S. National Security Council (NSC) spokesman, Patrick Ventrell

Korea-watchers in Seoul and Washington remain concerned about Kim’s nuclear program, his isolation, and by reports of brutal behavior as he continues to consolidate power at home. A variety of U.S., Chinese, and South Korean intelligence sources now estimate that North Korea may have as many as 20 nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Kim visited a turtle farm where he expressed anger that managers had not made progress breeding lobsters, according to UPI.

Put simply, these capabilities could give North Korea confidence that it is immune from any U.S. counter-strikes.

Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

North Korea Asia-Pacific