Editorial: Sanctions hopefully disillusion N. Korea

• Source: Global Times
• [00:40 June 12 2009]
• Comments

The measures drafted in the UN Security Council’s new resolution aimed at sanctioning North Korea for its latest nuclear moves are stern and more substantial. The resolution was achieved by, as a New York Times story put it, “a rare unified front among the world’s major powers.” North Korea is facing unprecedented pressure from the international community.

North Korea has only itself to blame for its plight. Its nuclear fantasy drove the country to behave irrationally and drift further away from reality. Possessing nuclear weapons will not solve its security concerns and give it a bargaining chip in international politics as it has imagined; rather, as clearly shown, its nuclear moves have only hit snags and are foiled everywhere, putting its future into jeopardy.

If North Korea had listened to China’s advice and correctly perceived contemporary world power relations, it would not have had to swallow this bitter pill.

No matter how North Korea reacts to the resolution, there has already been a devastating impact on the country. Its nuclear program will be either ended by North Korea itself or will be hard to continue due to financial sanctions. Resources and pride have been lost. Even if North Korea could realize its dream of becoming a “nuclear power,” it would not have any deterrent effect that the country can benefit from.

Also, North Korea’s people will be forced by the sanctions to live in an insecure and hostile environment. Socio-economic development will deteriorate. Frustration will make it more difficult for the country to communicate with the outside world.

The Chinese government had been taking pains to alleviate international pressure confronting North Korea since the nuclear crisis in the hope that the issue could be solved through negotiation, rather than sanctions.

Unfortunately, North Korea turned its back on the peaceful solution by escalating its aggressive behavior. Now the worst thing has happened, but even so, China has done its best to mitigate the situation.

Thanks to China’s efforts, the resolution is balanced and moderate, taking into consideration North Korea’s interests. But this does not mean China will give up its resolute stance on a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

China has said loud and clear that North Korea must end its nuclear program. North Korea, if it is still rational, must give up and cooperate with the international community.

How the North Korean nuclear crisis is solved concerns global nuclear disarmament and regional peace and security. But it matters most to the interests and welfare of the North Korean people. China expects the resolution will burst North Korea’s bubble and bring the country back to the negotiating table.