Overview

• North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has been escalating tensions with South Korea, conducting missile tests and issuing threats of war.
• Kim has declared South Korea an enemy state and has announced that reunification is no longer possible, reversing decades of policy.
• Despite the aggressive rhetoric, some experts believe that Kim is unlikely to start a major war as it would likely result in the end of his regime.
• Kim's actions may be aimed at influencing the upcoming U.S. and South Korean elections, hoping for policy shifts more favorable to North Korea.
• North Korea is also expanding its nuclear arsenal and has been receiving support from Russia and China, further complicating the geopolitical situation.