North Korea's May 14 missile launch, regarded by some analysts as the regime's most successful missile test to date due to the 700 km traveled and altitude of 2,000 km reached, is a significant advancement toward developing nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as a test for South Korea's new left-leaning leader, President Moon Jae-in.
The test also reminds the world community of the menace posed by Pyongyang, renewing calls by Washington and its allies for China to do more to curb North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's behavior.
Since the Clinton administration, policymakers have remarked of China's influence with North Korea and its ability to compel the regime toward change.