What Trump, U.S. Allies Can Do About North Korea

North Korea says it’s achieved its goal of possessing nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Since mid-year, it’s test-fired three long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles, sent a couple of mid-range missiles flying over Japan and staged its most powerful nuclear test. Leader Kim Jong Un said Nov. 29 the country’s nuclear push is complete. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to use military force to stop his nuclear program, which Kim says he needs to deter a U.S. invasion. After the latest missile test, Trump said the U.S. "will take care of it."

South Korea, the U.S. and Japan bear the brunt of Kim’s threats and constitute the front line of the international response. The alliances among them have been tested, as when Trump described South Korea’s approach toward its neighbor as "appeasement." A greater challenge is getting China, North Korea’s most important ally and biggest trading partner, and Russia to work with them. United Nations resolutions going back to 2006 demand that North Korea abandon all nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missiles programs.