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| North Korea crisis in 300 words | North Korea crisis in 300 words |
| (1 day later) | |
| The North Korean stand-off is a crisis that, at worst, threatens nuclear war. The sudden prospect of direct talks with the US might mean there's a chance at peace, but it's complicated. Let's take a step back. | The North Korean stand-off is a crisis that, at worst, threatens nuclear war. The sudden prospect of direct talks with the US might mean there's a chance at peace, but it's complicated. Let's take a step back. |
| Why does North Korea want nuclear weapons? | Why does North Korea want nuclear weapons? |
| The Korean peninsula was divided after World War Two and the communist North developed into a Stalinesque authoritarian system. | The Korean peninsula was divided after World War Two and the communist North developed into a Stalinesque authoritarian system. |
| Isolated on the global stage, it says nuclear weapons are its only deterrent against an outside world seeking to destroy it. | Isolated on the global stage, it says nuclear weapons are its only deterrent against an outside world seeking to destroy it. |
| Could they carry out a nuclear attack? | Could they carry out a nuclear attack? |
| Probably, but likely won't. | Probably, but likely won't. |
| North Korea has carried out six nuclear tests. One, it says, was a hydrogen bomb. | North Korea has carried out six nuclear tests. One, it says, was a hydrogen bomb. |
| It claims, though this remains unverified, to have developed a nuclear bomb small enough to be carried by a long-range missile. | It claims, though this remains unverified, to have developed a nuclear bomb small enough to be carried by a long-range missile. |
| It has also has a ballistic missile that experts believe could reach the US, Pyongyang's main adversary. | It has also has a ballistic missile that experts believe could reach the US, Pyongyang's main adversary. |
| In response the UN, the US, the EU and have implemented increasingly tough sanctions. | In response the UN, the US, the EU and have implemented increasingly tough sanctions. |
| Why can't Kim just be removed? | Why can't Kim just be removed? |
| The North has missiles aimed at the South and Japan. A pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang could trigger devastating retaliation. It would also kill countless North Koreans. | The North has missiles aimed at the South and Japan. A pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang could trigger devastating retaliation. It would also kill countless North Koreans. |
| As the biggest Asian power, China is concerned about regime collapse, and that a unified Korea would bring US forces currently stationed in the South directly to its border. | As the biggest Asian power, China is concerned about regime collapse, and that a unified Korea would bring US forces currently stationed in the South directly to its border. |
| An unprecedented turnaround? | An unprecedented turnaround? |
| Previous attempts to negotiate aid-for-disarmament deals have failed. | Previous attempts to negotiate aid-for-disarmament deals have failed. |
| But in January, the North embarked on direct talks with Seoul, attended the Winter Olympics in South Korea and in April the two leaders met for a historic inter-Korean summit. | |
| Pyongyang also offered direct talks with the US - an offer Mr Trump accepted - and ordered a halt to nuclear and missile tests. | |
| Talks between the two would be unprecedented, but the details, agenda and timing of the summit are yet to be confirmed. | |
| Want to know more? | Want to know more? |