North Korea’s Containment Using All of the Power of Japan, the US and South Korea

Can North Korea’s nuclear missiles be stopped by the power of diplomacy? Japan, the United States and South Korea took the opportunity during the United Nations General Assembly to urge each country to strengthen its sanctions against North Korea. In order to avoid the worst possible result, a military conflict, they must contain the crisis by increasing pressure. The unity of the international committee, including China and Russia, is in doubt.

On Sept. 21, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe conversed with President Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in for about one hour in New York.

Trump explained that he would create bold, new sanctions against the foreign financial institutions and businesses that make deals with North Korea. Japan and South Korea were highly appreciative. The three leaders agreed to the U.N. Security Council’s Sept. 11 resolution to strictly implement sanctions to pressure the relevant countries.

During his U.N. General Assembly speech, Prime Minister Abe used most of his time discussing the North Korea problem. He emphasized that the threat was of unprecedented urgency and that they need pressure, not dialogue.

However, North Korea has shown no sign of listening to the warnings that have been repeated. On Sept. 21, Kim Jong Un responded to Trump’s threat to totally destroy North Korea by declaring that it will seriously consider taking all-time, highest-level unyielding countermeasures.

North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho, told the press in New York that there might be a hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific Ocean.

The line of aggression cannot be allowed to extend any further. If North Korea does not cease development of nuclear missiles, severe sanctions that include an embargo on all oil should be considered. China and Russia, as standing members of the U.N. Security Council, are also responsible for protecting peace in the world. Japan, the U.S. and South Korea should use all their unified power to persuade the relevant countries.

North Korea is not only a problem in East Asia. If the firing of nuclear weapons is allowed, then the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which allows only the five major powers of the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China to possess nuclear weapons, will become meaningless.

If effective measures cannot be implemented concerning North Korea, which has recklessly and repeatedly violated international rules, then the very reason for the United Nations Security Council is in question.

Japan, the U.S. and South Korea need to share their sense of impending crisis widely with the member nations of the U.N., and initiate actions to contain North Korea. Considering the progress of the nuclear missile development, there is not much time left.