The UN Security Council in a resolution condemned in the strongest terms North Korea’s second nuclear test carried out on May 25 and imposed additional sanctions on the country. The resolution makes it clear that this question must be resolved diplomatically. This shows that the international community is dealing with the issue in a “reasoned and calm manner,” as Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo called for.
North Korea should take international opinion seriously and not conduct any further nuclear tests and missile launches. It is essential for North Korea to immediately return to the Six-Party Talks without conditions and contribute to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a peaceful solution to pressing issues.
Concerted action
The Japanese Communist Party has strongly protested against the North Korean nuclear test and called on the international community to join forces to take the most effective measures possible to find a diplomatic solution to this issue.
The nuclear test in May obviously was in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718 that condemned North Korea for its first nuclear test in 2006.
It is a matter of course that the resolution this time around condemned North Korea in the strongest terms for blatantly disregarding Resolution 1718, demanding that the country will never conduct any more nuclear tests and missile launches. It also urges North Korea to abandon all its nuclear-weapon programs, rejoin the NPT regime, and accept IAEA inspectors.
Furthermore, it calls on all UN member states to take measures against North Korea, including arms exports to North Korea, cargo inspections on the high seas to and from North Korea, and prohibit new loans to North Korea.
It is extremely important that the resolution stipulates non-military measures based on UN Chapter 7 Article 41, showing the will of the international community that it calmly, diplomatically, and non-militarily deals with North Korea’s act of provocation.
Japan took part in drafting the resolution with the United States. Initially, the draft only referred to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, and did not mention Article 41.
That was in contrast with Resolution 1718, which is clearly based on Article 41. The initial text of the draft was seen as trying to remove the stipulation regarding non-military measures in connection with the need to impose ship inspections on the high seas.
The five UN Security Council permanent member nations plus Japan and Korea, incorporated Article 41 into the resolution. This shows the international community’s intention to solve the North Korea issue without using military measures.
Military responses will only aggravate the situation and create an obstacle in unified international action. When each nation carries out inspections of North Korean cargo ships under the resolution, they should be careful not to trigger a military response.
Back to the Six-Party Talks
Increase in military tension at Northeast Asia should be prevented.
As the resolution pointed out, North Korea should recognize that its actions cause a “clear threat” to international peace and security. For North Korea, only regional peace and stability will ensure its national security.
The Six-Party Talks is likely to develop into the framework not only for achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, but also for contributing to Northeast Asian regional peace and stability.
Going back to the Six-Party Talks is also to North Korea’s advantage.
It is required for the international community to make tenacious efforts to have North Korea return to this framework.
