On December 26, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe Shinzo visited the Yasukuni Shrine. The visit is unlikely to do much harm to Abe domestically, but foreign policy in the region will be a casualty.

Whether Kim Jong-un is in charge or is in trouble after the purge of Jang Song Taek, both possibilities present problems for the U.S. and its allies, demonstrating once again why North Korea is seen as the land of no good options.

If the rumors and the events surrounding Jang Song Taek’s possible removal from power are true, we should prepare for a North Korea that is more provocative and difficult to handle in 2014.

The impact of the reported removal of Jang Song Taek could be vital for the future of North Korea. Does the removal of a key leader with power, experience, economic knowledge, and family connections suggest that there is trouble within the North Korean leadership? Or does it indicate that Kim Jong-un feels secure enough to get rid of his powerful uncle and can rule the way he really desires?

If North Korea is attempting to regain some leverage in inter-Korean talks by stalling on family visits, the South Korean government could again face a difficult decision on whether trust can be built up with North Korea.

By Nicholas Hamisevicz New satellite photos of a North Korean missile site have just been released. The analyses of the photos from the initial reports...