North Korea celebrated the New Year by convening a meeting of the ruling Party, where little was said about the United States. This ominous silence did not last long. The country's ruler, Kim Jong Un, launched six ballistic missiles in four weapons tests since January 5, and in a month almost the same number of missiles that North Korea launched throughout last year. On Tuesday, South Korean troops confirmed that North Korea had launched two cruise missiles in its fifth test in 2022. 

The message was clear: North Korean leaders feel ignored and want to re-engage with the Biden administration, urging them to  pay attention to economically deprived countries. By itself, the test may not make much sense. They were done with missiles that have already been tested or weapons that are still under development. But taken together, they signal that Kim Jong Un plans to use 2022 to awaken the Biden administration from its diplomatic sleep. 

Kim Jong Un needs Washington to agree on economic concessions so that he can repair the shattered economy of his country. Over the years, he has learned that the best way to get the attention of the President of the United States is to use firepower. And that the best time to do it is when the world can least afford the instability. According to that playbook, 2022 looks like a promising year. China is busy preparing for the Beijing Olympics next month. South Korea elects a new president in March. Russia has hinted at a potential invasion of Ukraine, keeping the Biden administration on tenterhooks.

This year, North Korea tested a so-called hydrogen bomb and also launched three intercontinental ballistic missiles. It was the second time  Kim threatened to lift the moratorium with long-range missiles and nuclear tests. After diplomacy with Mr. Trump ended without an agreement in 2019, he said he no longer feels bound by commitment. However, he was unable to carry out such a test and his country soon fell into the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic.