[Editorial] Pyongyang’s Self-Destruction

The international community is making desperate efforts to stop North Korea’s nuclear test. The North Korean nuclear problem was discussed as one of the top agenda during yesterday’s summit talks between New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Hu Jintao. Korea will also have a summit with Japan on Monday in Seoul and with China on Friday in Beijing to discuss ways to respond to North Korea’s nuclear test.

Prior to this, the U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a chairman’s statement, urging Pyongyang not to undertake a nuclear test. This clearly indicates a message that, if North Korea ignores the demand of the international community, the Security Council will take corresponding measures according to the obligations stated under the U.N. charter. This also strongly implies the possibility of invoking the Chapter 7 of the UN Charter which not only allow non-military sanctions but also the use of armed force in the event that the North pushes ahead with the nuclear test. This is the highest level of alert that the Security Council can take for the moment.

Moreover, the international community is closely reviewing measures in the event of the communist regime’s nuclear test. The United States has reportedly decided to take comprehensive sanctions and circulated a secret document to its high-ranking officials that includes details of punitive actions against North Korea. The U.S. will discuss with Japan over the ways to carry out an inspection on North Korean cargo ships suspected of carrying nuclear-related materials to the North and also have a dialogue with Korea and China over discontinuing energy supply and trade with North Korea, according to sources.

China also delivered a message to North Korea that it may amend the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea that stipulates China’s automatic military intervention if a third country imposes military sanctions against North Korea and approve tacitly military sanctions against North Korea, the foreign press reported. It implies possible removal of the clause from the treaty that states “automatic intervention.”

The Kim Jong Il regime must look straight ahead with the reality and realize its complete isolation. The notion that a nuclear test would eventually make it become a nuclear power like India or Pakistan will only accelerate its self-destruction. The geopolitical environment of North Korea is different to that of India and Pakistan. North Korea must return to six-way talks and follow the September 19 joint statement, if it wants to survive and receive security assurance and energy supply. If it falls off a cliff while stubbornly seeking nuclear weapons, it will be the end of its regime. The International community has already disclosed their limits of tolerance.