[Editorial] The North is Too Self-Consumed for De-nuclearization

Yesterday was the “Day of the Sun,” otherwise known as the 95th birthday of the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, and all of North Korea was in a party atmosphere. A big “Arirang” performance, a group gymnastics event, which was held at the May First Stadium, a “Celebration of the Kim Il-sung Flower,” and the April Spring Art Festival all took place to commemorate this occasion. Thousands of musicians, actors and circus performers all over the world visited Pyongyang to celebrate this year like any other year.

What seems missing from the celebrations is the news we crave for: progress toward the de-nuclearization of the North. North Korea was to make way for an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection and shut down its nuclear reactors in Yongbyon by April 14, as mandated by the February 13 Beijing Agreement. North Korea, however, took no action up until today. North Korea blamed the inaction on the U.S., saying that it did not unfreeze its funds stored in the Banco Delta Asia account. This does not excuse the North, as the U.S. has already announced that it unfroze the account. The only word from the North is that it would act only when the unfreezing is proven reality.

I cannot help doubting North Korea’s will to carry out what was agreed on in the February 13 accord. If the North had the slightest will to do so, it should have sent IAEA inspectors an invitation. The North even promised Director General Dr. Mohamed El-Baradei that it would receive the inspectors. Even if the North invited the inspectors today, it would take at least 10 days for the official inspections to start.

It seems that celebrating the birthday of its leader Kim Il-sung is more important that executing the February 13 accord. What is even more worrying is the fact that the North named this year’s ceremony, the “Celebration of the Victors.” The victory alludes to the successful development of nuclear weapons. Still, our government as well as America’s is just hoping for the best. Even China says that it will wait a few more days.

I cannot help despairing over the North’s actions. It is more concerned with retaining its rule and worshiping Kim Il-sung than with making good on promises made to international society. With the elementary stages of de-nuclearization in this much trouble, the future looks grim for the total disablement of the North’s nuclear program. If the North continues its aloofness, other means must be considered.