The Consequences of North Korea’s Failed Unha-3 Rocket Launch

North Korea’s 13 April launch of a Unha-3 rocket was to be a test of military technology as well as a political show of force accompanying the formal consolidation of power by leader Kim Jong Un and celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung. The failure of the launch may prompt Pyongyang to conduct a nuclear test. The likelihood of influencing North Korea by tightening the sanctions regime remains low. Also, it is doubtful whether in an election year the United States would be willing to formulate another aid package offer for the DPRK.