The country and regime literally have the official stance that it rains because the Un family wills it to rain.
Do not pretend logic and reason exist anywhere in North Korea. It is foolish to assume they have any sense.
You realise that this is exactly the impression that North Korea seeks to maintain to the outside world, so that it's strategy of deterrence works? The world must believe that NK will use even the nuclear capability it has now, which places Seoul in the firing line, so that NK can avoid a "regime change" action in the vein of Libya or Iraq. NK's actions are utterly rational when viewed from the regime's perspective.
I'm inclined to agree. Hawks always promise a quick and easy and contained conflict with minimal civilian casualties.
Truth is we live in a digital age where information can circle the globe in moments. Can't go to war old school style. Can't provide the clean and surgical war they always claim they will.
The least shitty move is to accept the reality of a Nuclear North Korea and push towards attempting to normalize relations as shitty as that'll be. And I mean, if the world wants to go to war with North Korea: Ok. I'll support that. But understand it's gonna kill A LOT of people in the short term. Someone can make the argument that it's best to deal with them now rather than later. But once again. It's gonna be a bloodbath. Modern society doesn't have the stomach for that.
If there's to be a war let NK start it.
For me there is no moral justification to agitate for warfare with a nuclear power that could easily destroy Seoul along with parts of China or Japan in retaliation. Hawks are pushing for war because:
a) Their party is in government and the president is a demented old moron who repeats the statements of the latest person he has talked to
b) They are bought and paid for by companies who would profit from such a war
c) NK is approaching the point of having weapons in range of America, which is of course an existential crisis despite China, Japan and SK all living under threat of NK for decades
You're absolutely right that normalising relations with NK is the only feasible outcome - as unpalatable as it is, it will mostly come from literally bribing the regime with aid via China or SK towards any kind of reform that helps the people of NK.