That they commit terrible crimes isn't the question. This is: When North Korean leaders make geo-political decisions do they act in their own self interest? A

That they commit terrible crimes isn't the question. This is: When North Korean leaders make geo-political decisions do they act in their own self interest? As a state or even individuals? The mad man caricature is an attempt to justify arbitrary action against North Korea, actions which would be much harder to justify against someone rational that could be influenced by carrots and sticks. It denies even the existence of motivations, however ill-intentioned those motivations may be.