Dramatic and dangerous as it was, the seizure of the U.S.S. Pueblo was only the latest and loudest thunderbolt from a long-gathering storm of North Korean belligerence. Under Premier Kim II Sung, a tough, Soviet-trained soldier, the North has become increasingly frustrated by its place in the Communist world and its poor showing visa-vis South Korea. Moved by the desire to bolster his regime internally and win some international notice and prestige —plus his oft-stated desire to distract the U.S. from its role in Viet Nam-Kim has deliberately launched his country on a high-risk policy.
The North has plenty of...
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