North Korea does it again. After testing an atomic hydrogen bomb just last month, today, Pyongyang has tested a new rocket, allegedly to put satellites into space. As everyone knows, between space and intercontinental missiles there’s no difference.

Despite opposition from the international community, North Korea has the impression that the development of nuclear warheads and the means to put them into orbit and back tooth is one means by which the country would escape poverty and hunger. Obviously, that is not true and North Korea would rather endure poverty and hunger than lose the opportunity to be a small nuclear power.

North Korea's Missile Launch Draws Condemnation: North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Sunday morning, s… https://t.co/SfolbqNP8c

— GBS Oakton (@globalbized) February 7, 2016

However, no one knows for sure why Korea prefer this way. The country has a very bad economy due to tens of embargos and economic sanctions and does not have too many friends around her who oppose the Western sanctions. The news that a rocket was launched by North Korea draws quick reaction on the part of Japan, US and South Korea, prompting all of them, including China, to take actions.

However the measures will have, as always, a limit. And even if the rhetoric will increase as the US already does with the presidential elections, realistic measures more radical than the country sinking even further into hunger, don’t really exist.

It remains to be seen what will North Korea use this newly tested technology for, in conditions where all its neighbours can down any type of rockets launched by Pyongyang with ease.