There’s still room for diplomacy

Political play: An Australian-Chinese known just as Howard (right) impersonating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, posing with Dennis Alan impersonating Trump, in Hong Kong. — Reuters

DESPITE fears of a showdown between the United States and North Korea, analysts by and large believe that, barring accidents, sabre-rattling will yield to pragmatism.

They note that pre-emptive strikes by the United States or North Korea could be catastrophic. Seoul, which has about 10 million residents, could be wiped out in the event of war.