North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is no doubt watching closely as America reportedly moves part of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems from South Korea to the Middle East.
Without those defenses, South Korea will be more vulnerable to a North Korean attack or provocations. This highlights a problem of a protracted war with Iran—the more America runs low on missiles and must pull resources from elsewhere, the more likely those it seeks to deter, like North Korea, will be tempted to make trouble.
Pyongyang has historically saber-rattled to force Washington and Seoul to the bargaining table to gain some sanctions relief. Pyongyang is always squeezed economically, both from sanctions and their own communist economy, but the war with Iran is making things worse.
Author
More on Asia
Events on North Korea
