The erratic North Korean President Kim Jong Un, through this action, was showing that, despite outside pressure and strictures placed on North Korea, they were still capable of carrying out their weapons programs. On one side it is leaning on China, North Korea’s principal ally, to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang to curtail its nuclear ambitions. It may be noted that China accounts for 80% of North Korea’s foreign trade and has significant political leverage over North Korea. Earlier in February, China had announced that it was halting all imports of coal from North Korea — a crucial earner for North Korea — for the rest of this year. They are also drawing attention to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov’s latest warning towards the US asking it not to launch any unilateral strike on North Korea.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 06, 2017 13:30 UTC