READ EDITORIAL WITH D2G EP – LXXIX

In Read Editorial With D2G
February 14, 2016

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EPISODE – LXXIX
TOPIC: Time to Take North Korea Seriously
BLOG: New York Times
WRITER: The Editorial
GENRE: Opinion

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MEANINGS are given in BOLD and ITALIC

Since the first of the year, North Korea has conducted another nuclear weapons test and launched a satellite on a rocket. Both acts further advance North Korea’s quest (a long or arduous search for something) to acquire the ability to fire a nuclear-armed missile against another country, while serving as a reminder of the world’s lamentable (regrettable or unfortunate) failure to shut the program down.

Especially striking has been China’s impotence (lack of power to change or improve a situation). President Xi Jinping has repeatedly urged North Korea to show restraint (a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control or within limits). At the same time, he has refused to endorse (declare one’s public approval or support of) tough international sanctions that might have an impact on the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. Beijing recently agreed to work on new United Nations sanctions, but there is no indication that those sanctions would go far enough.

The Chinese are probably right when they say they have less influence over Mr. Kim than many people think. But as the North’s only ally and economic lifeline for food and fuel oil, China has more leverage (influence or power) than any other country to steer (guide or control) Mr. Kim toward a less hostile (unfriendly) course. Beijing is understandably concerned that tough sanctions could cause people to flee North Korea for China. But even relatively modest (moderate or adequate) gestures (signal or indication), like preventing Mr. Kim from obtaining whiskey and other luxuries, could force him to think twice about continuing North Korea’s provocative behavior.

While China temporizes (avoid making a decision), others are acting. Last week, Congress overwhelmingly (massive or huge) approved strict sanctions intended to limit the North’s ability to finance warheads and missiles. President Obama should sign the measure into law. It is aimed at weapons and traders of raw minerals, as well as money launderers and human rights abusers (treat someone with cruelty or violence), and its effects are likely to be felt acutely by Chinese companies, which are most involved with the North.

South Korea stepped up the pressure by closing the Kaesong industrial complex, run jointly with North Korea. South Korean officials said the venture (a new activity, usually in business, that involves risk or uncertainty), which employs thousands of North Korean workers, was underwriting the North’s weapons program. South Korea also has agreed to discuss deploying (move (troops) into position for military action.) an American missile defense system that could track North Korean activities and to step up security coordination with Japan.

None of this will please Beijing. But such steps are needed to calm anxious (experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness) citizens in South Korea and Japan while persuading (to make someone do or believe something) China to be more constructive in helping to find a solution to the North Korean threat. The North is believed to have produced 10 to 16 crude nuclear weapons since 2003. And the more weapons North Korea produces, the more likely it is to try to sell them to earn hard currency (currency that is not likely to depreciate suddenly or to fluctuate greatly in value).

Tougher sanctions (a penalty for disobeying a law or rule) alone are not enough to get North Korea to reconsider its weapons programs. The Iran nuclear deal showed that sanctions can be a useful tool only in negotiations (discussion aimed at reaching an agreement) toward some mutually acceptable end. President Obama, Mr. Xi and the leaders of Japan and South Korea have erred (be mistaken or incorrect) in not putting forward a proposal that can induce the North into serious talks.

North Korea’s full disarmament (the reduction or withdrawal of military forces and weapons), while long the goal, is unrealistic (impractical) at this point. To have any chance of success, the negotiations should aim for constraint (a limitation or restriction). That means persuading the North to end all testing and to forsake (abandon) technology transfers to other parties. This is a formidable (tough) challenge, but neglecting (not paying proper attention to) it only guarantees that the threat will get worse.