North Korea seems to be screaming for attention by test-firing a stream of missiles on the Fourth of July, including a long-range rocket that, if it worked, could eventually reach the United States. Well, they have managed to achieve the impossible. North Korea has earned unanimous scorn.
The international community reacted with outrage over the test and the provocative timing. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting, but no action was taken amid disagreement over sanctions.
At least we can breathe a slight sigh of relief that the long-range missile test apparently failed and that North Korea has not perfected a ballistic missile technology. But that’s no consolation to its near neighbors, who saw short-range missiles fired harmlessly to sea. The Japanese had warned North Korea that there would be consequences to such a test.
North Korea’s 1998 test of a long-range missile, which sailed over Japan before falling into the Pacific Ocean, was considered a success. Tuesday’s rocket fizzled in about 35 seconds. While experts left open the possibility that it was programmed to do so, most observers deemed it a failure. Still, the message is clear – North Korea is isolated from the international community, and a resolution to its bellicose ambitions would be to everyone’s advantage. The United States, Japan and the rest of the world must coordinate a strong diplomatic response now. Russia and China, North Korea’s main trading partner, must play a key role in nudging North Korea to its senses.
On Wednesday, there was much talk about economic sanctions. We’re glad there was no talk of a military response, since officials agree the tests did not pose a direct security threat or violate any international treaty. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice underscored the need to restart the on-again, off-again six-party talks aimed at convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear missile program in return for economic and political rewards.
The missile firings underscore the importance of a regional, not a bilateral response. It was no accident that North Korea chose to launch missiles the same day Americans were celebrating independence. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s penchant for drama and defiance has led to concerns that more firings could follow. Still, his latest stunt should not be allowed to fracture the effort among allies on this issue. China, which expressed concern, indicated it did not favor strong sanctions. Nor should the missile test distract all attention from Iran, which has been given until July 12 to respond to an offer of economic incentives for suspending its uranium enrichment program.
Some speculated that North Korea’s regime wants some of the spotlight that has been focused on Iran’s nuclear program and hoped to goad the United States into bilateral talks. U.S. officials have wisely rejected that in the past, and should remain firm.
As Rice noted, six-party diplomacy can solve this latest crisis, and every effort should be made to revive the negotiations without rewarding North Korea’s bad behavior. While North Korea hasn’t mastered its missile program yet, heading off the threat now is in the world’s best interests.
