Sanctions better option to rein in North Korea

North Korea launched yet another missile. The missile test, though it turned out to be damp-squib, is nevertheless evidence of Pyongyang’s continued determination to develop intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It seems there is nothing which can hold it back from pursuing its nuclear ambitions. North Korea is pushing hard to upgrade its weapons systems to cope with the so called US hostility.
The failed missile test came on the heels of a major breakthrough in North Korea’s rocket development program. Pyongyang conducted on Sunday a ground test of a new type of high-thrust rocket engine. Washington, Seoul and others view the North’s space program as a cover for its banned long-range missile development program.
Kim, who has launched a series of projectiles and conducted three nuclear tests since he came to power more than five years ago, claimed in January to be in the final stage of preparations to test-fire an ICBM. North Korea fired four missiles this month that reached as far as Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Many weapons experts are already convinced that it is just matter of time for Kim regime to gain functioning nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental US within a few years.
Wednesday’s missile launch was very much expected. American defense officials had already said that the US military was expecting the missile launch in the next several days. US had increased its surveillance over the North and had detected a North Korean missile launcher being moved.
The failure of launch came as the US sent a supersonic bomber to South Korea in a show of force against the North. Pyongyang has angrily reacted to the ongoing annual US-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal.
North Korea continues to defy the international community by its unrestrained pursuit of nuclear program. Pyongyang’s aggressive rhetoric and successive missile and nuclear tests are vexing the international community. The sanctions imposed by UN and the US have failed to deter the North from its nuclear program. North Korean leader describes its weapons as a precious sword of justice towards invaders.
South Korea and the US have vowed punitive steps against pariah state. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last week that all option, even military, are on the table. He further said that years of diplomatic efforts failed to counter North Korea’s nuclear program and he didn’t rule out a preemptive strike. But military options isn’t realistic given the ability of North Korea to retaliate and inflict immeasurable damage on the densely packed South Korean population
Given the fact on the ground, all countries including China, the lone ally of Kim regime and its biggest trade partner and supplier of its most food and energy, must strictly implement UN sanctions against North Korea. It is important to cut off sources of the regime’s foreign-currency income and limit the activity of its people working abroad to further isolate it diplomatically and economically. A destabilized North Korea with nuclear weapons would be very dangerous. The most realistic option may be to tighten the economic sanctions. Starving North Korea of cash flow is likely to make Kim listen to the world.