By, Joshua Raymundo

Staff Writer

Flying over the Japanese northern Island of Hokkaido, a ballistic missile sent by North
Korea soared 1,700 miles and crashed into the ocean in late August. More recently, another similar trial was tested on Sept.15, and the missile established a new range of 2,300 miles. These exercises were several of the many tests that have been
conducted by Kim Jong Un as a part of his weapons testing program. The increased frequency of these ballistic missile trials in the region this year has forced world leaders to convene to discuss the threat.

“We have to take all appropriate measures against [incidents such as] North Korea’s missile launch over Japan,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated to the Japan Times, later noting that Japan, among other countries, “[has] to deter North Korea’s repeated provocative acts.”

However, recent actions taken by the American and North Korean governments suggest that it may not be that easy.President Donald Trump has responded to North Korean threats by stating that all options were, “on the table” and that the United States would retaliate with “fire and fury like the world has never seen before.” On the other hand, North Korea’s intentions might differ from the common understanding of the public. Edward Chang, writer for the National Interest, details the long list of small skirmishes involving North Korea that haven’t resulted in any major confrontations yet, including South Korea shooting at North Korean soldiers crossing the demilitarized zone in 2006 and North Korea’s artillery fired at South Korea’s island in 2010.

“This is a clear indication that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the North Korean regime is quite rational, perhaps coldly
so; up to a certain limit,” noted Chang.

This hypothesis can be supported with the principle of mutually assured destruction (MAD), where two countries threaten each other with nuclear annihilation, but neither intend to launch nuclear weapons for fear of being completely destroyed. This fundamental concept is the reason why North Korea and the United States are engaged in a tense nuclear standoff. Pundits believe the missile strikes are meant simply to show North Korea’s strength, not to actually attack.