Two ICBM tests, fresh UN sanctions on North Korea, now what?

North Korea as it always has, marches to the beat of its own drums, continually escalating
tensions through various provocations.
Not only is the regime unfazed by added sanctions, it responds with renewed determination and
anger.
So how did we reach this point.
Kim Hye-sung trace things back to the beginning of the latest chain of events.
July 29, 2017 KTV -
"The second test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14 has successfully
been accomplished."
" 14 2 ."
On July 28th, North Korea successfully tested another intercontinental ballistic missile,
just 24 days after its first Hwasong-14 missile test.
This time the missile flew a little over 45 minutes for a distance of around 1,000 kilometers.
If fired on a flatter trajectory, most experts say it would put major U.S. cities such as
Los Angeles within range.
North's second ICBM test prompted a stronger response...
South Korea and the U.S. conducted joint military drills, agreeing to temporarily deploy four
more THAAD mobile launchers to South Korea, and the U.S., flexing its muscles, testing
an unarmed ICBM on August 2nd.
July 31, 2017
"The era of strategic patience is over.
The President of the United States is leading a coalition of nations to bring pressure..."
After days of negotiation...
August 5.
2017 -6112
"Today the full Security Council has come together to put the North Korean dictator
on notice.
And this time the Council has matched its words, and actions."
The UN Security Council unanimously passed a new resolution Saturday local time, the
toughest one yet, that bans North Korean exports of coal and iron, and forbids countries from
giving any additional permits to North Korean laborers.
"Washington and Beijing have made a compromise.
The new resolution will help cut off North Korea's major source of hard currency.
But it excludes oil exports, a lifeline to the North's economy, and doesn't impose secondary
sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals who have helped North Korea evade sanctions.
The current level of sanctions may not be strong enough to totally isolate the North."
Despite the adoption of the resolution, there are still sharp differences between the U.S.,
Japan, China and Russia.
August 5, 2017
"The deployment of the THAAD system will not bring a solution to the issue of the DPRK's
nuclear testing and missile launching.
What it will do is seriously undermine the strategic balance of the region..."
Both Beijing and Moscow called for a reduction in joint military drills by the U.S. and South
Korea, adding that the sanction is not an end in itself, but a way to bring North Korea
to the talks, emphasizing engagement.
"A power game between Washington and Beijing has already begun in Northeast Asia, a security
re-balancing.
South Korea is caught in-between.
Rather than choosing one or the other, South Korea should make clear on its position that
a military strike on Pyongyang is too catastrophic, and that the deployment of THAAD is for deterring
Pyongyang.
It's important to secure South Korea's interest while bridging the differences between Washington
and Beijing."
"The Korean government should leave the door open to engage with North Korea, as President
Moon outlined in his Berlin Declaration.
But we need a more creative approach, lets say... declaring to drop out of the Nuclear
Non-proliferation Treaty.
Of course, it's not desirable and highly unlikely, but it's time to come up with our own strategic
cards."
Since starting his reign in 2011, Kim Jong-un has tested three nuclear bombs and more than
80 missiles, accelerating the pace of nuclear weapons and missile development.
"Kim Jong-un will not give up nuclear weapons development, it's tied to the regime's survival.
North Korea even revised its constitution in 2012, claiming itself a nuclear state.
We are not sure when the North will master all the technologies like missile guidance
and a smaller nuclear warhead, but its getting closer by the day."
Time is ticking.
Thirty three days after its first ICBM test, countries with differing interests in Northeast
Asia have come to an agreement to pressure the North.
But it remains to be seen whether the tougher sanctions will change Pyongyang's behavior
and de-escalate tensions or whether they will trigger more provocations including a nuclear
test.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.

Two ICBM tests, fresh UN sanctions on North Korea, now what?

Latest Posts