Are we headed for World War 3?

Recently, North Korea has upped its testing of nuclear weapons, like long-range and short-range missiles. The world had responded with harsh criticism and warned North Korea severely. "Seemingly unfazed" by this international discontentment, North Korea has launched yet a third nuclear weapon, the modified version of a Taepodong-2, which the was tested in 2006 and in April and which is theoretically capable of reaching Alaska. The US, of course, is extremely concerned and wants to put and end to it. They worry about North Korea becoming an nuclear state, which, theoretically, puts them in a position to annihilate the whole world at the push of a button. In their statement to international news, they stressed that allowing North Korea to go on unchecked could ultimately spark an arms race in Asia. However, North Korea still persists stubbornly, "ignorant" of the United State's blatant warning.

Angered by this, United States are proposing a new resolution which could impose new sanctions to punish the North for Monday's nuclear test -- its second since 2006. This had only escalated the already tight atmosphere. North Korea has responded by decreeing "self-defence measures" . They have fueled tensions by launching yet another 6 short-range missiles and threatening to attack neighboring South Korea.

So, since the US simply cannot accept North Korea having nuclear arms and North Korea continues to test its weapons, the two sides are unable to come to an agreement or even meet and talk it over. If the situation worsens, the consequences will be disastrous for the entire world. I feel that the US should not be so strict on prohibiting nuclear weapons in North Korea. Instead, it should relent and discuss with North Korea on a solution agreeable to both parties. This way, a potential war could be averted. On the other hand, North Korea is also quite unreasonable as it does not heed US's warnings at all. They should explain to the US why they feel the need to carry out this testing of nuclear weapons and maybe sign an agreement not to attack any countries. This way, US can rest peacefully and not worry about a nuclear war and might consider allowing them to continue the testing of nuclear arms.