What is Pyongyang calculating ? Sung - Yoon Lee : Despite threats , North Korean leadership is n't crazy or suicidal . Lee : North Korea 's goal is to get the US to withdraw troops from South Korea . He says the North 's strategy is to instill fear in South Koreans and Americans . Lee : The likelihood of North Korea starting an all - out war is quite small .
Sung - Yoon Lee : Despite threats , North Korean leadership is n't crazy or suicidal . Lee : North Korea 's goal is to get the US to withdraw troops from South Korea . He says the North 's strategy is to instill fear in South Koreans and Americans . Lee : The likelihood of North Korea starting an all - out war is quite small .