Nuclear North Korea and Japan――The INF Option

The Kim Dynasty, North Korea’s hereditary leadership for three generations, has successfully developed ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland, and become a disruptor of regional stability.(REUTERS/AFLO)

South Korean soldiers on patrol along the shore on Yeonpyeong Island, which lies off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. North Korean artillery attack in 2010 heightened the tensions in the area.（BLOOMBERG/GETTYIMAGES）

A monument to the Korean War located in Pyongyang. The war had a great influence on not only North Korea but also China’s policymaking, as Chinese troops were deployed to help North Korea.（ERIC LAFFORGUE/ART IN ALL OF US/GETTYIMAGES）

Photographed at the Six Party Talks in 2004, with the U.S. delegation in the front. Denuclearization of North Korea was on the table, but the country responded with nuclear testing.（REUTERS/AFLO）

U.S. military’s THAAD deployment in South Korea was met with resistance by pro-North Korean protestors.（XINHUA NEWS AGENCY/AFLO）

With the demise of U.S.-ROK Alliance on the horizon, “New Korea” scenarios are getting more real.（HANDOUT/GETTYIMAGES）

A military parade to celebrate the Day of the Sun, the birthday of the late Kim Il-sung, North Korea’s founder and leader. Korean reunification has remained a national credo for North Korea since its foundation.（AP/AFLO）

Arch of Reunification.（ERIC LAFFORGUE/ART IN ALL OF US/GETTYIMAGES）

A military parade commemorating the 75th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, in October 2020. Despite speculation that arose last spring about his poor health, Kim Jong-un remains very much in power.（KNS/KCNA/AFP/AFLO）

Testing of U.S. military’s new INF system, conducted in the U.S. in 2019.（DVIDS）

Amid growing tensions in Northeast Asia, the U.S.-Japan Alliance needs to evolve.（PHOTO/KYODO NEWS/GETTYIMAGES）

USS Ohio visiting the port of Yokosuka. Possession of ballistic missile submarine like this vessel can be noted as one of the options.（PHOTO/KYODO NEWS/GETTYIMAGES）

North Korea won the privilege to bargain directly with the U.S. president, while relegating Japan and China to sidelines, or “spectators’ seats.”（AFP/AFLO）

North Korea belittles Russia whose power is on the decline. Russian influence is expected to be further diminished.（MIKHAIL SVETLOV/GETTYIMAGES）

In October 2020, North Korea unveiled its latest and largest ICBM to date. Their nuclear threat is on the rise.（KNS/KCNA/AFP/AFLO）

(ERIC LAFFORGUE/ART IN ALL OF US/GETTYIMAGES)