I think he wants a war between the US and China. He is a jerk but not an idiot. He knows full well that a war between him and us would be a disaster and the end of his regime. Kim is like the dirty-faced street urchin who shouts provocations at a passerby and when the target responds, runs and hides behind his big brother. Only problem is, big brother may not want to get in a fight just yet, especially with the US.
China Tells Kim Not To Carry Out Second Nuclear Test
A sign of serious deterioration in the relationship was provided by the overseas edition of the Communist Party mouthpiece, People's Daily.
"North Korea's nuclear test touched China's warning line," said the paper. "If North Korea doesn't cease from behaviour that might worsen the situation… China might stop providing oil and grain to North Korea."
The threat was contributed by a senior researcher at a government think-tank. Although it represented his personal opinion, the newspaper has historically been used by the party to hint at changes of policy and the piece was unlikely to have been published without serious consideration of its implications.
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