In my last piece, I questioned the argument made by other writers as to how seriously one should take the claims of the North Korean leader. Do we take him and his state at their word all the time, sometimes or only when it suits us? In international politics it is, of course, a very difficult thing to judge because everyone is playing a game of chess and no one really wants to reveal their endgame. Cards are kept firmly close to the proverbial chest and soundbites appear often.

That was the case, however, until recently. While watching some