Fixing NK nuclear crisis more difficult

North Korea announced Wednesday that it had successfully test-fired a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile: the Hwasong-15 missile, which flew 53 minutes, reaching an altitude of 4,475 kilometers and a distance of 950 kilometers. The figures are largely consistent with the monitoring results of South Korea and the US.

Some analysts say that the missile could have flown as far as 13,000 kilometers if launched on a standard trajectory, which suggests all of the continental US is within range. US Defense Secretary James Mattis said the latest missile flew higher than any previous launch.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watched the launch and declared that with the Hwasong-15, North Korea had “finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force,” according to Reuters.

The launch has impressed upon the whole world that Pyongyang has the capability to hit the US anywhere. This will surely take Washington and US society aback. Washington has persistently stressed it would deter Pyongyang’s nuclear development. Many used to believe that the US would take decisive measures to prevent Pyongyang from gaining the capability to hit the continental US. However, to this day, Pyongyang has maintained a total disregard for US pressure and intimidation.

It’s fair to say that US policy on North Korea has failed, and so has the policy of President Donald Trump. There were times that Washington had the initiative, yet overlooked Pyongyang’s demands for security. The US wasted opportunities to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula by peaceful means. Trump heightened the pressure on North Korea at the wrong time, intensifying tensions on the peninsula almost to the utmost, leaving little space for diplomatic maneuvering.

Advances in nuclear and missile technologies will never be “completed.” The range of intercontinental ballistic missiles is important, as well as their mobilization and penetration capabilities. If North Korea and the US want to continue with their sharp confrontation, they will always have a chance to shock the world.

The tense situation on the Korean Peninsula must be cooled down. Whenever a chance is lost, it is more difficult to find an opening in the future. As Washington finds it difficult to solve the nuclear issue through military means, it should make the prompt decision of negotiating with Pyongyang.

Both the US and North Korea should face up to reality and compromise to solve the crisis by diplomacy. The US has got the short end of the stick by looking down on North Korea. Therefore it should take North Korea's security demands more seriously. Meanwhile, Pyongyang should not treat Washington as it pleases because of its successful missile test.

A balance of power between the US and North Korea will never be possible and North Korea should seek the chance to maximize its national interest.

The process of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is getting more and more difficult. But no matter how difficult, the international community will not admit the nuclear status of North Korea. How can the process of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula facilitate regional peace and stability? Time is needed to solve this thorny issue.