Perhaps a test of not only our response but the world community as a whole.
It is also not unusual for a country like the DPRK to act like this during periods of internal power shifts to create a 'perceived threat' which allows those in power to keep the focus of the people on the 'external threat' with a sense of solidarity as they assume the reigns of control. Nothing like a little good old
saber rattling to do that.
I would also worry about the internal shifting of power within the military at the same time - the 'favored' status among the military hierarchy between the incoming and outgoing leaders; the old and the new; the elderly and the young. It is not unusual for militaries to 'flex their muscles' a bit during such times to gain favor as a 'trusted' advisor to the head of government as well as to support their 'manufactured threat' from the outside. All sides in this current 'kimchi melodrama' are experienced actors when it comes to the antics of the DPRK - but such a ploy is always dangerous as the 'unknown idiot' factor can always come into play at some point and the situation can rapidly spin out of control.
And I am being a bit jaded here, but it is feasible with such a gang of loons to do something like this incident as a way for the old man to provide an OJT situation for his son - a sort of NCA-level JRX to teach him how to tweek the nose of the imperialist beast and show the DPRK NCA that the new leader
is the leader and recognized as such among the world leaders when he agrees to wind down the exercise. Who knows?
Hold the line and stay safe...
Richard
