The Guardian: North Korea's nuclear test...engagement is overdue

Kim Jong-un's unpredictability, like his nuclear programme, has served North Korea well. No one likes it, but everyone has to care about it. Fearful of the outside world - the elite want to protect themselves; the country was flattened by US bombs in the Korean war; and George W Bush named it in his axis of evil - North Korea has no reason to halt its programme.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Source: Getty Image

Now the Obama administration appears to be waiting it out. Though it no longer favours the term "strategic patience" - mocked as "patience, without a strategy" - its actual approach appears unchanged. It does not regard Pyongyang as a priority, and is not sure what to do about it.

 

It would take a courageous president to restart talks with Pyongyang. The Iran nuclear deal was extremely difficult and highly controversial; a North Korea deal would be more so.

 

No one wants to reward bad behaviour; at best the outcome would be a cap on development.

 

But doing nothing is not the same as maintaining the status quo. Pyongyang will continue its race to gain weapons - and redouble its efforts if ignored.

 

Engagement is not an attractive option; but the US should choose it, and soon.