Diplomacy with a criminal regime *

North Korea’s behavior, at least regarding nuclear weapons, has led many American sources—ranging from scholars and politicians to comedians and talk show hosts—to suggest that North Korea acts and speaks in a crazy and irrational manner. ¹ While it may be correct to speak about North Korea in this fashion if one incorporates a moral dimension to those statements, it is inaccurate in terms of whether or not North Korea’s behavior and speech is logically connected with its own goals and objectives.