If one wants a dynamic arms race between enduring rivals, nuclear weapons, alliances, related extended deterrence challenges and uncertainty regarding the balance of capabilities and resolve, the Korean Peninsula will rarely disappoint. The potential for it to present this cornucopia of challenges is very much on show in May 2022. It is indeed encouraged by the pending leadership change in South Korea and exacerbated by the fact that the incoming Yoon administration will likely take a harder line toward North Korea and its nuclear weapons program than its predecessor. 

North Korea has persisted in its efforts to develop