On Tuesday , the international community reacted to North Korea 's third nuclear test by calling its action `` provocative , '' while South Korea 's foreign minister warned that it was a `` clear threat to international peace and security . '' It was what Kim Jong Un , the nation 's young leader , wanted . From the North Korean government 's view , the more pressure the international community places on its nuclear testing , the better . They enjoy the chatter among the world 's leaders and at the U.N. about how North Korea 's nuclear program must be stopped at all cost . On January 23 , the North Korean foreign ministry notified that they intended to carry out a test . They also sent photos of Kim Jong Un holding a meeting with senior officials . If Kim had not acted by going through with the underground blast , it would have appeared that he had succumbed to pressure from the international community . In North Korea the authority of the `` king '' in the dynasty system can not be compromised . The date of the nuclear test -- conducted on February 12 -- is also significant , as it fell just days short of the 71st birthday of Kim 's late father , Kim Jong Il , on February 16 . Many North Korean events are associated with symbolic dates for the Kim family . On December 12 , just days before the first anniversary of Kim Jong II 's death , Pyongyang launched its first rocket into orbit -- despite international uproar . North Korea has staked its pride on these events . Saving face is more important than international sanctions , even if hundreds of thousands of ordinary North Koreans have died of hunger . Even so , I can not say the motivation behind North Korea 's nuclear test is for Kim 's pride alone . It also sends a message to its people that `` Kim Jong Un leads the world . '' Even with the nuclear test , the government knows that war will not arise . But to its people , it can give the impression that war is impending . Inheriting his father 's position at such a young age -- he 's believed to be in his 20s -- many in North Korea may question whether Kim has the clout to lead . But through this test , Kim wanted to send a strong message domestically that he is in charge . What happens if they do develop an effective nuclear weapon ? Does North Korea intend to attack the United States ? That is impossible . If North Korea attacks , it will be sent back to the Stone Ages -- the leadership in Pyongyang is well aware of that . Does this point to an eventual attack on South Korea then ? South Korea is protected by a nuclear umbrella -- meaning that the United States will protect it . In return for Seoul limiting its own nuclear weapons capability , Washington offers its protection . If North Korea attacks South Korea , it 's effectively an attack on the United States . Another major reason why North Korea is developing a nuclear capability is that its conventional military is dated and there are doubts about whether it can defend itself . While North Korea has an estimated 1.2 million soldiers , making it the third largest military behind China and United States , this is only a number . It may be hard to believe but for almost 20 years , there have been continued food shortages in the military , to the extent that as many as 20 % to 30 % of the armed forces have actually disappeared -- with many deserting their post by way of a bribe to their superiors . Those that do remain in service are often involved in petty crime to get by , such as stealing from the civilian population . North Korea requires military service for 10 years . During those years , most are discharged without even having fired 30 bullets . Without sufficient fuel for planes , airborne troops have not had much training . In 1990 , I stood guard at a post in Pyongyang . The anti-aircraft weapon I used was a 1940s era model from the Soviet Union . If war is to occur , North Korea could not stand , even for days , and it is well aware of that . But could it count on traditional ally , China , for support ? Starting from Kim Il Sung , the founder of North Korea , the North Korean regime has never fully trusted China . The message that China is a nation that could strike North Korea at the `` back of the head '' has been passed down over the years to Kim Jong Un , his grandson . Since North Korea can not count on Beijing fully , it has turned to the nuclear option as a deterrent . North Korea would not risk a pre-emptive attack on the South , but the Kim dynasty now believes it has a card to protect itself , which is its main objective . For this reason , even if millions of people starve to death in the effects of the harsh sanctions , North Korea will keep trying to develop its own nuclear capabilities .
North Korea enjoys international community chatter about its nuclear program . Dates of nuclear test and rocket launch have significance , writes Joo Sung Ha . Joo works as a newspaper journalist and came from North Korea .