In the latest development involving the North Korean nuclear threat, North Korea threatened war with “no mercy” if the United States and its allies impose economic sanctions. This came a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency offered a final chance for North Korea to allow its inspectors back into the country before it would allow the United Nations Security Council to take action.
Problems between theUnited States and North Korea have escalated since the original incident in October, when North Korea admitted it could enrich uranium for nuclear weapons, which violated an anti-nuclear weapons agreement it made with the United States in 1994. The United States then suspended oil deliveries guaranteed to North Korea in the agreement, after which North Korea retaliated by expelling U.N. inspectors, dismantling nuclear surveillance equipment and lifting the freeze imposed on its nuclear facilities.
That North Korea would threaten war with “no mercy” against the United States is outrageous, and claiming “sanctions mean a war,” as North Korea did in its statement, is ridiculous. The United States stoppage of oil deliveries to North Korea was a direct response of Korea’s failure to recognize and respect the treaty, and both the expulsion of U.N. inspectors and the threat of war (which was condemned even by Iran and Cuba) are blatant offensive moves, not actions often taken in defense.
The United States should recognize North Korea as a more immediate and plausible threat than that of the rumored enemy Iraq. While the United Nations should continue to do its part as a diplomat until all peaceful options are exhausted, the United States should call North Korea on its bluff and impose more economic sanctions. If North Korea threatens war based on the on breaking of a treaty, and the United States backs down, it will preserve the life of its citizens, but ruin its legitimacy as a strong nation, making it seem susceptible to the threats of any nation with a credible military force.
While it may seem rash to risk the lives of U.S. citizens, more could be lost in the long term if other countries believe the United States has softened its stance against broken treaties and military threats. Other nations and terrorist groups could ally if they believe the United States would do nothing until war was on their own borders, making them even more dangerous.
The United Nations must also stand strong against this possibility of war for the same reasons, because if North Korea is allowed to break treaty with the United States and United Nations without retaliation, its credibility and power are also lost. While diplomacy is almost always the best policy, in this crisis, action may better preserve life and security in the long run.
