EDITORIAL: North Korea's attack

The sinking of the South Korean naval ship Cheonan in March that killed 46 sailors was caused by a North Korean torpedo, a report by an international panel concluded.

"The evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that the torpedo was fired by a North Korean submarine. There is no other plausible explanation," according to the report released Thursday by the Joint Civilian-Military Investigative Group comprising experts from five countries.

The attack, which could have triggered war, is an inexcusable act of violence that seriously threatens the security of East Asia as a whole, including Japan.

The motive is unclear. Could it be the result of reckless competition to show loyalty to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il? Was it an attempt to enhance the prestige of the military and use it to build a successor regime?

Last fall, a North Korean warship, which went southward and crossed the de facto maritime border, was attacked by the South Korean navy. Some people believe the North fired the torpedo in retaliation. Either way, it is an abnormal act by an abnormal state.

North Korea rapped the report as a "fabrication." But in 1968, it planned an attack on the South Korean presidential office. It has also committed acts of terrorism against South Korea, including the 1983 bombing in Yangon (Rangoon) against the visiting South Korean president and his delegation, and the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air passenger flight.

North Korea has not admitted its involvement in any of these cases.

The torpedo attack once again clearly showed that the North Korean regime is a reckless one.

But this attack seems too thoughtless even for North Korea. Its economy is becoming increasingly strained. And with Kim in ill health, the future of the country is becoming more uncertain.

With conclusive evidence against North Korea, it is possible that surrounding countries, which had remained cautious about taking drastic steps because they each had an ax to grind, may change their attitudes.

The South Korean public is enraged. President Lee Myung-bak said he would take firm measures to deal with the situation. Sources say he plans to call on the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions.

North Korea must not be allowed to commit any additional acts of violence. At the same time, measures must be taken to prevent a needless increase in tensions on the Korean Peninsula. These are problems the entire region, including Japan, must tackle.

First, the United States and especially China have major roles to play. During Kim's recent visit to China, it is said that there was a gap between China and North Korea in some areas, including economic assistance. Apparently, this is because China is displeased with North Korea's behavior.

We urge China to make use of its strong economic influence to check North Korea's provocative actions and continue to make an effort at having Pyongyang take part in diplomatic negotiations.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stated he would closely work together and cooperate with South Korea, the United States and other related countries. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was scheduled to visit Japan on Friday to meet with Prime Minister Hatoyama and others.

She is also scheduled to tour China and South Korea. A Japan-China-South Korea summit will also be held at the end of the month.

North Korea is the greatest factor of instability in East Asia, and the latest incident is also a problem for Japan.

Japan should make use of its close relations with the United States and South Korea to apply pressure on China. There is no time to lose to make a diplomatic effort.

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 21