It has been a tumultuous few weeks for east Asia, and especially the countries in and around the Korean peninsula. Although North Korea’s attempted missile test was a failure, it sent shock-waves around the region. In a change of policy from the previous administration, the White House has pursued a more reactive approach towards the rogue nation, sending a carrier group to the area and a visit to South Korea by the vice president to assure its commitment to the U.S. ally. In addition, the largest and only ally of North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, has begun to back off from aiding the regime, and siding with the international community in calling for an end to North Korea’s nuclear program. They have also ceased imports of coal from North Korea, and stationed additional troops along their border with the country. Although the government of North Korea has not responded to these current events other than the normal fiery rhetoric, the country finds itself running out of options. Rapidly losing what little international goodwill North Korea had from its remaining ally, and with opposing nations such as the U.S., South Korea, and Japan possibly more willing to use force against the emerging nuclear threat, the North Korean regime may find its options running out.
