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 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea is struggling to survive with a stagnant economy and aftereffects from years of famine, facing yet another harsh winter following summer floods that may have killed hundreds.
Could North Korean leader Kim Jong Il be using the provocation of a nuclear test simply as a bargaining chip to get the aid he needs to placate his people and stay in power? Pyongyang's recent nuclear test, labeled by the world as a provocation, could actually be a desperate cry for help.
Recent moves by Kim that have drawn world attention — missile launches in July as well as the reported nuclear test — may have been carefully calculated to ignite a crisis but stop short of conflict.
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