China holds all the trumps in Korean crisis

HIGH drama was the order of the day at the United Nations General Assembly this past week when Donald Trump promised to "totally destroy" North Korea if the US has to defend itself or its allies. Four days later, the North Korean foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, accused Mr Trump of being on a "suicide mission" and declared: "In case innocent lives of the US are lost because of this suicide attack, Trump will be held totally responsible."

It was the first time for Mr Trump the unpredictable president to address the United Nations, followed by a rare public appearance by a senior figure from Pyongyang.

In between, other players, notably Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Ab…