If you examine the rhetoric coming out of Nork, it's pretty clear they are drumming up nationalistic victimization and pride. They are crying warmongering from the US and the rest of the world.
My guess?
Face. Too proud to ask for assistance, propped up and ready to collapse, authority on a precipice - so start with the belligerence, provoke war action from another country like the US who would, sure, wipe out some people, and then go in and prop the place back up so they can get back to the business of undermining the international community.
It is terror pure and simple - give us aid and consider yourself "protected". I pity the 2 journalists who are being played as bargaining chips in this situation. I hope they come out of this physically unharmed.
I'd say that with all the posturing China does in comparing herself to the US, let her step up and take care of her neighborhood. But she's too busy playing all seven sides against the middle.
I'm beginning to lose faith in the good will of people of some Asian nations.
I hope it's just big city cynicism. But Empire and racial homogeneity does seem to be the prevailing value systems. Except where lip service to free nations is required.
Wish I had a nickel every time one of my students or colleagues gleefully contemplated the demise of the west. Yet - there they are, studying English so they can get a job in a "foreigner" company.
"Live and let live" it ain't. Parasitism, more like.
