Ri Jong-ho is a former North Korean government official

Hong Kong press (South China Morning Post) article for a read while we await Asia markets to more fully fire up for the session!

"The sanctions that the White House has imposed on North Korea are of a historic leve," said Ri
"Never before has the country faced such tough sanctions. I don't know if North Korea will survive a year with these sanctions. People will die."
North Korea's provocative behaviour is a result of Pyongyang's "desperate" need to force a diplomatic opening with the US, "They just wanted two-way talks. What the North Korean leadership wants is to know how to warm relations with the US."

Link is here for more