Editorial
UNSC urged to take resolute action against N. Korea over nuclear test
North Korea has announced that it has successfully conducted another nuclear test and strengthened the power of its nuclear weapons. Monitoring by various countries has suggested that a far more powerful explosion occurred in the latest nuclear test than the one in 2006, which was widely viewed as not being satisfactory.
If it was really a nuclear test as Pyongyang claims, it should be called an outrageous act that ignored the rules of the international community and is unacceptable. When North Korea fired a ballistic missile last month, it attempted to disguise the object as a satellite, but this time it showed no hesitation in announcing that it conducted a nuclear test. There is no doubt that it violated a resolution that the U.N. Security Council adopted in response to the country's previous nuclear test.
Prime Minister Taro Aso urged the UNSC to stand firm against Pyongyang. "This is intolerable. We'll initiate action in the Security Council." Aso agreed with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in a telephone conversation that the international community should take a tough stance toward North Korea. The two leaders also reconfirmed the importance of the alliance between Japan, the United States and South Korea. It was a reasonable response. The UNSC should take resolute action against Pyongyang for its provocative act in violation of international rules.
However, a response by the United Nations has its own limits. The six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program have been deadlocked, but its member countries are effectively those affected by North Korea's nuclear tests. To break the impasse, they should calmly ascertain North Korea's intentions behind its nuclear tests and take appropriate countermeasures.
North Korea's regime was forced to dramatically change its strategy for its survival after the collapse of the socialist bloc comprised of the Soviet Union and East Europe as a result of the end of the Cold War. The core of its new strategy is pursuit of security through the normalization of its relations with the United States. The agreed framework signed between the two countries under the administration of then U.S. President Bill Clinton, which is favorable to North Korea, and Pyongyang's success in having Washington remove it from the list of state sponsors of terror at the end of the administration of then President George W. Bush are part of its new strategy for its regime's survival.
North Korea expected further concessions from the administration of President Barack Obama. However, the Obama administration has been slow in formulating its policy toward North Korea and appointing officials in charge, and has not been proactively working toward direct talks with Pyongyang. Disappointed North Korea has begun to criticize the Obama administration.
North Korea has test-fired missiles and conducted nuclear tests in a bid to develop and deploy nuclear missiles as strategic weapons and to promote propaganda toward its people. It is widely believed that the hard line taken recently by North Korea is due to dictator Kim Jong Il's poor health and as part of preparations for the transfer of power to his successor. In terms of diplomacy, it is aimed at pressuring the United States to sit at a negotiation table at an early date.
Washington and Pyongyang are conducting behind-the-scenes negotiations over the release of two U.S. female journalists detained in the secluded state. The negotiations may develop into bilateral talks on North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons programs.
However, since North Korea is not a particularly serious threat to the United States, there have been observations that Washington will give tacit approval to North Korea's possession of nuclear arms on condition that measures be taken to prevent its nuclear weapons from being handed over to terrorist organizations. It would be totally unacceptable for Japan, which is exposed to North Korea's threat, particularly if follow-up investigations prove that North Korea has upgraded its nuclear weapons.
President Obama has announced that he will ultimately seek nuclear disarmament. If he is serious about this goal, Obama should make efforts to attain the specific target of completely eliminating the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. The problem is not simply a matter of concern for Japan, which is a U.S. ally. If North Korea is allowed to possess even small-scale nuclear arms, the possibility cannot be ruled out that it will spur other countries to start developing nuclear weapons in defiance of international rules.
Since the primary aim for North Korea is to improve its relations with the United States, it is not impossible to take this opportunity to lead North Korea to rid itself of nuclear weapons. Efforts should also be made to resume the stalled six-party talks.
China should also adopt a tougher stance toward North Korea, whose economy is increasingly dependent on Beijing. It cannot survive without China's food and energy assistance. Nevertheless, China has claimed that it does not have a strong influence on North Korea.
However, China is believed to have put pressure on North Korea by threatening to decrease its energy supply to the country. Beijing should not aggravate the situation by causing North Korea to lose face, but is urged to convince Pyongyang that it only stands to lose rather than gain if it defies international rules. China is the only country that can really have an influence on North Korea.
Pyongyang has adopted a military-first policy in which it places top priority on its military buildup, and amended the Constitution at the latest session of its Supreme People's Assembly. Even though the details of the revisions were not immediately disclosed, the amendment is believed to have increased the power of the National Defense Commission, which is chaired by Kim Jong Il. The country's official news organizations have bitterly criticized Japan and South Korea on a daily basis.
It is a bizarre regime. However, North Korea is apparently aware that if it uses nuclear weapons, it will lead to a catastrophe. The Japanese government and people should not overreact to North Korea's outrageous acts and rather respond calmly to the situation while cooperating closely with the United States, China and South Korea. It will be the best option for the time being.
(Mainichi Japan) May 26, 2009