Japan May Refer N. Korea`s Nuclear Problem to Security Council if Six-Way Talks Stall

Hiroyuki Hosoda, the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, said on October 6 that he would consider referring the North Korea nuclear problem to the United Nations Security Council if the six-way talks don’t find their way out of the current stalemate.

During a press interview, Hosoda said, “If North Korea refuses to change its mind even after persuasions, the matter can be only handled by the international society, in which the U.S. plays a main role. The United Nations Security Council is a weighty organization.”

By saying that “North Korea is highly suspected of holding plutonium and enriching uranium. It’s a very serious problem if North Korea starts conducting nuclear tests,” he implied that he will agree to President Bush’s suggestion to refer the matter to the Security Council, if the North Korea’s nuclear situation worsens.

On the subject of economic sanctions on North Korea, Hosoda took a cautious attitude, saying, “Japan will only apply economic sanctions when it is convinced that such measures will bring positive effects to the settlement of the matter.”

Won-Jae Park parkwj@donga.com