deterrent is needed against the superpower on their doorstep, the United states. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to develop it's economy, despite some significant challenges and missteps in 2015. This has helped earn it's young leader considerable grace in the eyes of his populace and is at the heart of his domestic brand. The nuclear programme is his father's legacy but Kim Jong-un came to power talking about not only military might, but economic growth and quality of life issues.The combination of visible improvement on the latter and the heritage of the former has helped his image considerably. In the international arena, the test will elicit a few responses from its neighbours. First in Washington though not technically a neighbour the appetite for sanctions legislation or targeted actions by the US Treasury Department will increase. Indeed, the US Congress has been working on three separate sanctions bills in the past