That more or less means you agree with me though.

Even your average dictator wouldn't go into scorched earth mode with nukes if he thought the end was imminent.

North Korea claims it has nuclear weapons, but it seems more an anti-americanic boast then reality. Many experts doubt that they really have some. Anyways, looking at North Korea is troublesome, even without nuclear weapons the quarrels with South Korea, the US and Japan and the hard to predict actions of it's leaders make North Korea a risk to the peace in East Asia. Hopefully China can tame it.

Actually that would only be the case long term (I'm talking >20 years), the North Koren economy is much much worse than East Germany's was before it collapsed. Eastern Germany's economy still hasn't fully caught up to West Germany after over 20 years, that will be even worse for North Korea.

Plus in Eastern Europe, there was still some infrastructure there, compared to virtually nothing for North Korea.

Mostly because most dictators aren't based on fighting an external enemy. Your usual dictator is set about defending the country from bad interests (Communism, et al), and doesn't externalize the threat.

Hitler, for instance, sped up the destruction of the Jews knowing the end was imminent, with an externalized foe to take on.

No, none of that threatens the US. But, does it need to for us to be involved? We have established our short legacy on helping other countries in their time and need (militarily). If you were suffering over there, wouldn't you want other countries to be involved?

The Wests problem is that North Korea is a irrational player that is threatening global economic stability. Actively encouraging regional militarism. Threatening the planets environment, and placing itself in a position to extort cash from its neighbors under the threat of nuclear Armageddon. Neighbors that we are obligated not only to support, but to defend with soldiers lives if need be. The worst part of it all is that North Korea seems to be oblivious to the consequences of its actions.

We are talking about a nation that may well be out of touch with reality. They may literally believe in their very own propaganda, or worse a environment of obscene paranoia may prevent rational people from acting to stop irrational people. They could very well end up launching nuclear missiles. While earnestly believing that they had not, and that the motions were all a test to root out disloyalty. If their supreme leader were to go completely insane. There is a good chance that everyone will obey him regardless. Even if it means their own demise.

We have seen how completely evil dictators can become, and not just to their own people. Saddam Hussein set fields of oil wells on fire, and dumped oil into the ocean. In his mind the only thing that mattered was preserving his own power. He couldn't care less if he destroyed the planet seeing to that. Hitler literally tried to turn all of Germany into his funeral pyre. At the end he literally felt that the German people should die for failing him. Hell the man sent out orders to armies that didn't even exist, because he couldn't accept that he could lose.

Dictators are almost always psychopaths. They don't recognize the value of the lives of others, and might even welcome the idea of dying, and taking the world with them. Some of them literally begin to think that they are supernatural. How comfortable would you be in a room with a mad man who has a sword. Even if you could defend yourself. Wouldn't it still bother you that the people close to him might get hurt if he started swinging.

Their entire threat is a huge battery of artillery within range of Seoul, South Korea, and the willingness to actually use it. The destruction of 10m+ first world people would damage the global economy.

Oh and governments pretend to care about the humanitarian situation as well, but really that's it.

well they are a threat to their own people. I care about my fellow man, so that means them too.

They also do their best to be a bad guy in the area. They feel the need to test weapons, and aggravate their neighbors so they feel unsafe. I wouldn't want to border a country that is testing rockets that sometimes fail, and if they succeed are meant to possibly be used aainst me (South Korea, Japan).

Whats the big deal about N Korea? maybe a Madman with nukes...