President Xi and the North Korean Missile

North Korea reportedly wrapped up the process of putting the Unha-3 rocket on its launchpad yesterday to test-fire a long-range missile disguised, as before, as an attempt to launch a satellite into space. When Pyongyang installs radar, measurement equipment, cameras and injects fuel into the rocket, it’ll be ready to shoot the three-stage missile from a launch station in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, anytime between Monday and Dec. 22, as it has declared. Despite concerted efforts by South Korea, the United States and China to deter the recalcitrant regime, it seems difficult to persuade Pyongyang to change its mind.