This is the best summary I could come up with:

Pyongyang said the latter test, on Jan. 19, was in response to the largest-ever joint military drills by the U.S., South Korea and Japan, which those countries argue are necessary to maintain readiness in the face of North Korean threats.

Thomas Schafter, a former German ambassador to North Korea, wrote last week that Pyongyang’s increased aggression is likely preparation for a potential second Trump administration in the U.S., setting the stage to de-escalate next year and secure concessions from Washington.

During Donald Trump’s first term, he held three historic summits with Mr. Kim, and the two Koreas also moved toward rapprochement, though nothing concrete was achieved and that progress has unravelled since the changes of administration in both Washington and Seoul.

Pranay Vaddi, the White House’s senior director for arms control, recently warned that the security threat from North Korea could “drastically” change over the coming decade as a result of increased co-operation with Russia.

Chinese state media have largely blamed the recent increase in tensions on Seoul, pointing to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s hardline policy toward North Korea and greater military co-operation with Japan and the U.S.

During a previous round of escalation at the start of the Trump administration, some Chinese military analysts suggested Beijing would not be obliged to defend its ally if North Korea used nuclear weapons, as this would breach a treaty between the two countries.

The original article contains 1,182 words, the summary contains 231 words. Saved 80%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!