LITTLE ROCK — North Korea’s success in putting a satellite in orbit, after four previous unsuccessful attempts, will satisfy the hard-liners in Pyongyang who care only about their privileged status and not about the pain and suffering additional sanctions will impose on the people of North Korea.
The three-stage missile that put this satellite in orbit is a potential threat to the region and the United States. The launch is an act of defiance; an act meant to intimidate the international community. It’s a message from the hard-liners in Pyongyang who continue to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons; who continue to increase North Korea’s stockpile of plutonium and uranium-based nuclear weapons; who continue to sell weapons and short- and medium-range missiles to rogue states. This is a trajectory of escalation and confrontation, with unforeseen consequences that have to be addressed now, before it’s too late.
North Korea’s new leader, Kim Jong Un, could address these issues-especially now, after this successful missile launch. He doesn’t have to prove himself to those hard-liners who want confrontation with the United States and South Korea. Confrontation for them is job security. It permits them to retain their privileged status in a country that has problems feeding its people. These so-called elites fear change, fear any type of reform, knowing that their military first policy has made North Korea an isolated and economically poor country-and has been a disaster for the country and its people. Thus they fear that change will mean they’re out of power. This is what they fear most.
Kim Jong Un can change this. He has shown during his first year in power that he doesn’t fear the hard-liners. He understands North Korea’s economic plight and the need to change course. His initial personnel moves were encouraging. He assigned a party official, Ch’oe Ryong-hae, to oversee the Korean People’s Army. This was an unprecedented, courageous decision, having a party official oversee the military.
Kim removed the minister of Defense and the army chief of staff, both hard-liners.
It is hoped Kim Jong Un can pocket this December 12th launch and use it against those hardliners who may agitate against his leadership.
Kim Jong Un defied the international community and launched a missile that put a satellite in orbit. He should stop here and now work with those moderates he recently appointed to ensure that North Korea immediately returns to negotiations and unilaterally announces a moratorium on all missile launches and nuclear tests.
China and the U.S. have leverage with North Korea and its new leader. They should use their leverage to convince Kim Jong Un that ultimate denuclearization will result in economic incentives, security assurances and eventual normalization of relations. This is what the people of North Korea want. This is what the international community needs.
Joseph R. DeTrani was the special envoy for Six Party Talks with North Korea from 2003 to 2006, the National Intelligence North Korea mission manager from 2006 to 2010, and was the director of the National Counter proliferation Center until January of 2012.
Editorial, Pages 12 on 12/17/2012