Recent weeks have been marked by some interesting turns in the North Korean nuclear and missile drama.

These events may just offer the first glimmer of hope for de-escalation after several months of dangerous developments in and around Korea.

Among the major events, one should, of course, mention the November 28 launch of the Hwasong-15 ICBM, which took place after a two and a half month pause in missile testing.

The North Korean government immediately followed the launch with a statement which said that the country had “finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force.” Domestic