[Editorial] Go Through Another Year of Nuclear Crisis?

The biggest threat on the Korean Peninsula is the North Korean nuclear issue. Thus, the first diplomatic and policy priorities should be to address the issue. Furthermore, tension is very high as Saddam Hussein was captured and Libya declared its intention to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction last year.

The path the North should take is clear. North Korea, in its New Year’s address, announced that it will solve the issue peacefully through dialogue. We expect more positive changes of the North upon hearing the news that it allowed the U.S. delegation to visit the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon next week. In addressing the North Korean nuclear issue, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said, “We will pursue peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.”

The biggest obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the crisis is the strategic differences between the U.S. and the North. North Korea pledged that it will take a firm stance against the U.S.’s tough policy toward it. Mr. Powell stressed, “The North will not be rewarded for its bad behavior, and we will not give in to its threat.”

The Korean government should narrow the gap between the U.S. and the North. The government should come up with measures to break the impasse if it wants to lead in solving the nuclear crisis. We have been weighed down by the North Korean nuclear threat for three years, but related countries are still in a mist over the resumption of the six-way talks.

Now is the time for the government to face the reality and make its utmost efforts to find a breakthrough. Time is not on our side, since the U.S. announced that it would take a tougher policy toward the North if it does not take any action to ease the current tension.

We will be able to see the Korean economy recover again only when the nuclear issue is resolved. Summit talks could be the first step toward dealing with the issue. We should never go through another year of nuclear crisis.