Is North Koreas nuclear test imminent?
A test would represent a drastic step for Kim, since North Korea has lots to lose from such a move. Its poor economy, with severe food and energy shortages, is not sustainable without outside help, particularly from China. Kim would have to convince Beijing that Washington is to blame for the failure to resolve the nuclear stalemate — otherwise his alliance with China could be damaged irreparably. “The importance of the China factor will make it hard for the North to go ahead with a nuclear test,” says Koh Yu Hwan, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University in Seoul. Still, some U.S. officials think Pyongyang may be moving toward a test, especially since Kim has crossed every other red line with impunity. Why would Kim take such a risk? If he is convinced the U.S. is serious about ousting him, Kim may want to prove that he indeed has the bomb. His gamble would be that full recognition as a nuclear power would give him more leverage in talks — even though the North would face internat
