Reinforce global pressure on N Korea
IT IS essential that the international community unites and strengthens its multifaceted pressure on North Korea, which has been defiantly carrying out nuclear development and ballistic missile launches.
Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo held a trilateral meeting in Singapore and concurred that North Korea’s nuclear programmes represent “an immediate threat to regional and global security”. The three countries also confirmed a policy of reinforcing trilateral defence capabilities through drills, including missile warning exercises, anti-submarine exercises and other activities. What is most important is for the three countries to not fall out of step, no matter what sort of provocative actions North Korea may take.
Mattis said the United States will continue to “increase diplomatic and economic pressure until Pyongyang finally and permanently abandons its nuclear and missile programmes”. Joint exercises are one element of strengthening pressure.
A total of 12 warships and other vessels of the Maritime Self-Defence Force and the US Navy, including two US aircraft carriers, held largescale joint exercises in the Sea of Japan for three days. With fighter jets of the Air Self-Defense Force also taking part, the demonstration to North Korea of the solid deterrence of the Japan-US alliance had a significant effect.
Each missile launch represents an improvement in North Korea’s missile technology. Every country must enhance its interception capabilities.
The US Defence Department in a test last month successfully intercepted an intercontinental ballistic missile target. The test was likely aimed at displaying its defence capabilities to incapacitate an ICBM, while North Korea is hurrying to develop an ICBM capable of striking the US mainland.
Japan is scheduled to complete the development of the advanced ballistic missile interceptor SM-3 Block IIA this fiscal year. This will make it possible to shoot down a missile target at an altitude of up to over 1,000 kilometres.
Countries including South Korea must steadily boost their preparedness.
It should be recognised that the UN Security Council has adopted a sanctions resolution on North Korea to impose travel bans and asset freezes on 14 individuals and four organisations.
In light of Pyongyang’s third consecu- tive week of missile launches, even China and Russia, which had been cautious about imposing a resolution, at long last came around to approving one.
Needless to say, the sanctions cover only those who are in charge of the country’s external intelligence activities and the like, and thus also contain uncertain aspects in their effectiveness.
Countries such as Japan and the United States should tenaciously hold talks one after another with China and Russia to consider more powerful sanctions, including restrictions on crude oil supply to North Korea.
It is also important to strictly implement the already adopted sanctions resolution. China, which accounts for the bulk of North Korea’s foreign trade and financial dealings, should assume an extremely large role.