Unlike his father, who used missile testing sparingly and for political purposes, “Kim Jong-un is actually trying to get these missiles and technology to an operational level,” said Jenny Town, director of the Stimson Centre’s 38 North Programme.

“He is testing for performance. It’s not for political showmanship.”

With little reason to come back to the negotiating table right now, Kim is looking to take advantage of current events, both regionally and globally. 

South Korea has just elected a hawkish new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, who wants closer ties with the US and a stronger stance against Pyongyang. Kim is hoping to put him on the back foot from day one and “demonstrate that he has strategic dominance over South Korea,” said Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific Security Chair at the Hudson Institute.

“Yoon is an inexperienced politician, he’ll be surrounded by great experts, but from day one it will be a baptism of fire for him.”

The conflict in Europe is also diverting attention from Pyongyang. Kim is looking to use “the diversion of Moscow’s war in Ukraine to get away with a lot,” he added.

But it was a strategy that could rebound. 

“There is a heavy appetite for strengthening defences, in Congress, in Seoul, in Tokyo, in Canberra, in Europe,” said Mr Cronin. “North Korea is playing with fire.”