EDITORIAL: Solving a Nuclear North Korea

By Staff Editorial

Staff Editorial
The Daily Campus ( U. Connecticut )

(U-WIRE) STORRS, Conn. — This is not what the world needed. After threatening nuclear tests, then claiming to have conducted one Sunday night, Eastern time, North Korea is the latest nation to flex a nuclear muscle on the world stage. There are still conflicting reports over how successful North Korea’s test was, if it even was a nuclear test. But no one is taking chances. Regardless of what actually transpired, the aftermath and rhetoric is ushering in a new age of unstable global security and paranoia. While the U.N. Security Council and other governments were unified in quickly condemning this brash test, determining the next course of action will be more complicated. Any future action regarding the North Korean nuclear issue must be a unified, international front if it is to be successful. Use of force should be the absolute last resort and not even mentioned at this juncture as it will merely incite more hostility and hinder negotiations. The effectiveness of sanctions is uncertain as well, but would have a greater chance of effectiveness if Russia and China are on board. Of course, there is the fear that a lack of stern measures will embolden other nations seeking nuclear technology to forge ahead if little is done to curb North Korea’s continuous defiance. The quickest way to stabilize the situation is to bring North Korea to the negotiation table and begin talks. However, North Korea has traditionally refused multilateral six party talks, instead desiring direct bilateral talks with the United States while President Bush has staunchly refused these one-on-one talks with North Korea. It is time President Bush seriously consider the option of bilateral talks with North Korea if, he is committed to solving the problem through diplomacy, as he said today in a news conference. The shroud of isolation and mystery North Korea is enveloped in must be unveiled and the situation quickly de-escalated. An arms build-up in Asia would throw the region into a cold war or worse. This will negatively affect the rest of the world as the major emerging economies in the area, such as China and South Korea which are becoming vital to the global economy, would be at risk of destabilizing along with Japan’s developed economy. The threat of nuclear proliferation is another threat, should North Korea decide to sell its technology to the highest bidder. Washington must not be distracted from this issue nor allow it to manifest any longer. After North Korea’s announcement came the predictable partisan finger pointing. Democrats blamed Bush. Republicans blamed former President Clinton. The failure to curb North Korea’s quest for nuclear weapons is a failing on all the presidencies and global governments since the 1980s, when North Korea first developed a program for nuclear technology and consistently refused since then to abandon nuclear ambitions.

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