Editor’s note: The following article is an opinion piece by Rocco P. Santurri III, a national security professional based in Korea and U.S. Army reservist. Views expressed in opinion articles are exclusively the author’s own and do not represent those of NK News or the U.S. government.

For years, the Korean Peninsula has operated in a stable but unproductive equilibrium.

North Korea launches a missile, then the U.S. and South Korea condemn the “provocation.” In some cases, the allies carry out military activities in response. Then Pyongyang holds up their actions as proof of hostility, justifying further military development.