Bill Richardson: North Korea Missile Launch 'Act of Defiance'

North Korea's ballistic missile test is an "act of defiance" by its leader Kim Jong-un, says former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson.

"He's unsure of himself. He's afraid of his own shadow. He's got leaders in North Korea that he thinks are threatening him," Richardson said Sunday on "The Cats Roundtable" on AM 970 in New York. "So he's saying I'm the boss, and I'm shooting missiles and detonating nuclear weapons. And I'm tough, and don't mess with me."

Kim is also angry that the country is under U.N. sanctions and that the United States is still carrying on joint military exercises with South Korea, Richardson told host John Catsimatidis.

China, he said, is not putting enough pressure on their ally to negotiate.

"I think China likes to cause trouble for us also," he said.

As for Iran's recent ballistic missile launch, Richardson said, "We have to sanction Iran. They shouldn’t be doing that under the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and U.N. accords."

The United States should impose sanctions, Richardson said, but should be careful not to overreact.

"You've gotta watch 'em. We've got to protect our friends in Israel," he said.

As for Russian President Vladimir Putin pulling out of Syria, Richardson said, "I think he's up to something ... I think maybe the Russian economy is in trouble. ... I think he may feel he's overextended ,and Assad is a losing battle, but you never know with Putin."

Related Stories:

• Bill Richardson: I Want to Take Dennis Rodman to NKorea to Free College Student
• Obama Slaps New Sanctions on North Korea After Tests