North Korea preparing more missile launches, says South

[nitpicker]

Source: BBC


South Korea says it has seen indications that the North is preparing more missile launches, possibly an intercontinental ballistic missile. It said it was strengthening its controversial US-made Thaad missile defence system after the North's test of a nuclear bomb at the weekend. The South has carried out live-fire exercises in response to the test.
(snip)

What has the South said? Chang Kyung-soo, a defence ministry official, told parliament: "We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches. We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)." No timeframe was given for any launches but this Saturday, the anniversary of the foundation of the North's regime, or 10 October, the establishment of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, were possible dates.

The ministry also told parliament the US would seek to deploy a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to seas off the peninsula. It said it would temporarily deploy four more launchers of the US Thaad (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence) missile defence system to join the two already at the site in Seongju, south of Seoul.
(snip)

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41144356

[forgotmylogin]

1. What does Kim actually want?

Surely he doesn't want his country vaporized into glass. They don't seem to be poor and starving, at least from the rosy outlook they want to paint.

I get the sense he's wanting attention on the world stage; the short guy in the crowd "look at me!"? Is he threatening people to attain some kind of special privileges he's not getting?

Does he believe war would be a growth opportunity of some type?

[Lurks Often]

2. NK is in the middle of a major drought

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/21/world/asia/north-korea-drought-food-shortages-grain.html

If Fat Boy is sane and seeing the same basic reality the rest of us do, then the launches are an attempt to get food concessions in return for him stopping the missile and nuclear tests.

If Fat Boy is insane or has a different reality then the rest of us, he may actually think he can win a war.

For those who disagree with the preceding comment, keep in mind he was raised with enormous privilege, treated almost like a god and is being told exactly what he wants to hear. Fat Boy has probably killed everybody who has disagreed or contradicted him. So while it's likely that many senior NK generals KNOW they will get badly defeated in any war, they don't dare say so for fear of being executed or sent to a NK work camp.

[forgotmylogin]

3. Thank you, that's very enlightening!

So...instead of just saying "hey we need some help" Kim is all "give me your lunch money or I blow up this island over here..."