I am just wondering - if this were a computer game, it would be like the last moment when I still could strike the enemy to wipe out their capabilities before t

I am just wondering - if this were a computer game, it would be like the last moment when I still could strike the enemy to wipe out their capabilities before they acquire the capability to hit me and cause unreasonable damage. So this looks to me like war is unavoidable as after NK manages to get ICBM/MIRV/submarine launch done, nobody would be able to stop them ever again (baring some virus) and they could ramp up their requirements. While having nuke capability as means to prevent an invasion is understandable, the question is if other nuclear powers would like to invite another member (I doubt so).