Why does North Korea keep testing nuclear weapons?

Last week, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear weapon test — the second of its kind this year. South Korea estimates it was the largest test yet. The United States and other countries have called for stronger sanctions against the isolated country. But why does North Korea keep testing nuclear weapons? Will more sanctions be placed on the country? Here are the answers to your questions:

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Back up. How was North Korea created?

Korea was split into two countries after World War II in 1945. The north became the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea controlled by Soviet Russia. The south became the pro-Western Republic of Korea.

This split was exacerbated by the Korean War, which began when troops from the north invaded the south. The United States eventually joined the war as allies to the south. The war continued for years until a stalemate was reached. The treaty that ended the war created a demilitarized zone between the two countries.

Today, these two countries are most commonly referred to as North and South Korea. North Korea is a very isolationist dictatorship. There is little electricity and food in the country. For many years, North Korea has struggled with extremely high poverty and starvation. Meanwhile, South Korea is a constitutional republic much like the United States. The country has advanced technology and is the 11th largest world economy. 

What's the deal with all the nuclear testing?

In recent years, North Korea has been expanding its nuclear arsenal, along with other weapons. In the 1990s and early 2000, the country was willing to trade nuclear weapons for better foreign relations. But today, that isn't an expected. The current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has behaved differently from his father. The regime, analysts say,views its nuclear arsenal as an "essential means to protect its sovereignty and vital rights." To put it simply, North Korea wants its government to be legitimized by the international community.

What about sanctions?

The United States and the United Nations have placed several sanctions on North Korea. These include the prohibition of imports of arms and related materials along with luxury goods. Others include a ban on various import and export items, including any goods or revenue that may benefit the Workers' Party of Korea. The party is the nation's sole political party which controls the national government.

In March, the United Nations passed stricter sanctions on North Korea. These mandated cargo inspections for all goods going in and out of the country by any mode of transportation and other crippling regulations. In response to the most recent nuclear test, President Obama is calling for even more sanctions. But none of the previous ones seem to be preventing the country's nuclear development.