"Diplomatic isolation is actually helpful in the North Korean government’s efforts to keep its people ignorant about the outside world."

Korean studies specialist Andrei Lankov examines the rationale behind North Korea's provocative behaviour, arguing that isolating the country will only help to reinforce the dangerous status quo.

“The year 2012 might be a great opportunity for the West to dramatically improve relations with North Korea. We should give Kim Jong Un a chance. What do we have to lose?”

Rudiger Frank, Professor of East Asian Economy and Society at the University of Vienna, argues that the West should seize the opportunity to actively engage the new and unencumbered leader in Pyongyang who will make economic growth his top priority and who feels uneasy about China’s influence.