Source: BBC World News
Speaking with BBC World News, Douglas Paal argued that North Korea is unlikely to change its course of action anytime soon and that the U.S. message is mainly intended for China to reconsider the risks of Kim Jong Un's actions.
Meanwhile, Paal continued, there is not much more that can be done with sanctions at this stage. The primary way that North Korea may alter its course is if Kim Jong Un fails to prove himself as the leader that his grandfather was, by failing to deliver goods, fuel, and food to the North Korean people.
As to Kerry's visit to Asia, Paal noted that the secretary of state needs to reaffirm the U.S. alliance with Seoul and Tokyo. In China, Kerry needs to rise above the short tactical measures preoccupying the Western media and focus on the broader context of the U.S.-China strategic relationship and how North Korea will harm this relationship.