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North Korea’s evolving nuclear threat too great to deter?

Kim Jong Un’s growing arsenal is setting the scene for a risky game of military one-upmanship with the US and its east Asian allies.

Experts are warning that North Korea's rapid progress with its military goals could render existing arrangements for the defence of South Korea, Japan and the US obsolete.

North Korea has tested the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile within striking distance of the US mainland.

PHOTO: AFP

Christian Davies, Kana Inagaki and Demetri Sevastopulo

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In his

last known letter

to a US president, an emotional Mr Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea, rebuked Mr Donald Trump for carrying out scheduled joint military exercises with South Korea.

“I am clearly offended, and I do not want to hide this feeling from you,” Mr Kim wrote in August 2019. “If you do not think of our relationship as a stepping stone that only benefits you, then you would not make me look like an idiot that will only give without getting anything in return.”

North Korea’s evolving nuclear threat too great to deter?

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