North Korea can not be accused of subtlety. The hermit regime now has the world where it wants it: gasping in fear and loathing, wondering how to respond. No state can be allowed to get away with shelling its neighbour and killing their soldiers. South Korea, the US and China do not want war. But with boycotts already in place, they are running out of options.

The current provocation demands a response – but one which does not help the Dear Leader and his son in their propaganda exercise or which escalates the violence. The US, preoccupied with Pyongyang’s nuclear capability, has refused to restart six-country talks until Pyongyang dismantles that programme. It has no need as yet to respond to South Korea’s call to bring back US nuclear weapons, though this would inflame Pyongyang and Beijing.. Nor does the US have to show its hand at this stage regarding military action. Diplomacy should be the first option.

China must stop ducking its responsibility. This is not a new call. The world’s second largest economy is concerned less about nuclear proliferation than regime collapse: it shares 900 miles with North Korea and enjoys the buffer between itself and US troops in South Korea.