Obama’s new challenge – North Korea

Kamna Arora On May 25, North Korea conducted its second and far more powerful nuclear test. When the entire international community was busy criticising the test, Pyongyang responded by test-firing three short-range missiles with a range of 130 km from its east coast. And the very next day, the Communist nation stepped up its defiance and test-fired two more short-range missiles, one ground-to-air and another ground-to-ship. The Stalinist state had conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. The country is believed to have sufficient plutonium to manufacture at least half-a-dozen nuclear bombs. The recent nuclear test left the world furious. In an emergency meeting, the United Nations Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea for breaching the world body`s resolutions. Shortly after, US President Barack Obama described Pyongyang`s atomic arms program as a threat to international security. According to analysts, the nuclear test marks the comeback of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-il, following a suspected stroke last August. The nuclear test conducted by the North is a dent to Obama’s efforts to fulfil his non-proliferation dream. Moreover, it has not only left the international community panicked but also disrupted the balance of power in the region. In a bid to pacify the US’ allies in the East, Obama phoned South Korea’s President and Japan’s Prime Minister, assuring both that Washington stays committed to the defence of their nations. It was assumed that when Obama took over the reins at the White House, North Korea wanted to see if there was something up for grabs to their advantage with the US. However, Obama’s strong-worded response to North’s rocket launch last month must have shaken Pyongyang. According to regional powers as well as the US, the rocket launch was actually a long-range missile test that could hit Alaska. Hence, Obama had to strongly respond to it. Post-9/11, security has become the topmost priority of the US leadership. Another point is that North Korea’s nuclear test on May 25 came on the Memorial Day holiday in the United States. Notably, the test of the North’s long-range Taepodong-2 missile in 2006 was timed for the US Independence Day holiday. Although the leadership in the US has changed, yet North Korea`s attitude continues to remain the same. It was believed that the North Korean leadership wanted to get the Obama administration into a bilateral conversation. The detention of two US journalists by Pyongyang sought to open the way for a more high-level communication between the Obama administration and the North. But the recent test has scuttled the chances. It is imperative for Obama to stop North Korea from proliferation. The US, already frustrated with Iraq and Afghanistan, cannot afford to waste time and see the threat widening in the Asia-Pacific. The US has already tried to solve the North Korean row through talks as well as sanctions, but nothing has worked so far. So, what else could halt North Korea’s nuclear intentions? Obama’s team does have a difficult task ahead -- whether to continue six-party talks with more engagement from China. China has played a key role in the talks by playing a mediating role. Firmed-up ties between US-China could force Beijing to stand up to the North Korean challenge. Or tougher sanctions? The UN has yet to decide on the fresh sanctions to be imposed on North Korea. And the language of the sanctions may melt the bellicose nation, and honestly, the chances are likely. It is very difficult to predict the behaviour of North Korea. Hence, the US could draw out a policy mix of appeasement, engagement and opposition.