What I'm saying is that they crave crisis. And the bigger the crisis, the better. And you've proved my point - the North's usual shenanigans aren't working anymore, precisely the reason why they need something bigger. This is probably the biggest act they can do short of having all out war on the peninsula.

In 1994, North Korea created a nuclear crisis and we signed an agreed framework, and then of course there were accusations about whether the US was fulfilling the agreed framework on time. North Korea blamed the U.S., but basically North Korea broke the agreed framework. They conducted two nuclear tests and many missile tests. So they found out that bluffing, or creating a crisis through resolute militant operation, is maybe the way to sustain global attention, get aid, get diplomatic recognition, put to the UN that North Korea is a country to be reckoned with. Is this ultimately a successful long-term strategy? I don't think so, because the South Koreans and Americans are getting smarter, and students of North Korean affairs are getting angry. But so far, with limited options, North Korea has been pursuing this and they have been gaining rather than losing. We also shouldn't forget that their might be an unstable power struggle going on, with Kim's ill health and his desire to pass power to his second son, I wouldn't be surprised if that was a factor as well.

I'm not saying we should treat this nonchalantly, I'm saying we should look at this calmly and with clear vision, without emotion. I like how President Lee has handled this crisis, after all his country and his people has the most to lose.