It’s almost as though the US is trying to relieve some of the pressure in Asia by doing this. I don’t completely buy it.

I agree..The people need to feel welcomed internationally to risk cooperation, they have to have someone to fall back on.

This is purely political, and necessary for the North Korean psyche. There is no way they will cooperate, unless they are given equal footing. So while nothing has changed, it has given them the face they feel like they deserve in the international...