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Time to Get Tough With N. Korea

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 6, 2009 6:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – Getting Laura Ling and Euna Lee out of North Korea was a cakewalk compared to the real diplomatic struggles between the Obama administration and the rogue nation, writes Nicolas Kristof. The New York Times columnist, who has visited North Korea five times, used to favor engagement with Kim Jong-Il's regime. But amid growing evidence that the North is offering nuclear weapons technology to Burma, "I've reluctantly concluded that we need more sticks."

Not long ago it seemed possible that diplomacy could lead the North to give up its nuke program, the columnist writes, but "these days that seems virtually hopeless." And the relentless propaganda machine inside "the most totalitarian state in history" has crushed any hope of a grass-roots revolution. If it wants to stop Kim, the US should work with allies for more sanctions—even China is "surprisingly cooperative"—and stop nuclear technology shipments, even by force.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Bill Clinton listens to Laura Ling after she and Euna Lee returned to the United States following months of captivity in North Korea. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

President Barack Obama speaks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, about the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

South Korean activists stage a rally demanding the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee in Seoul. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

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Where we have intelligence that North Korean ships are transferring nuclear materials, we should board those vessels. That’s an extreme step, but the nightmare would be if Iran simply decided to save time and buy a nuclear weapon. -

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

Shannonals

Aug 8, 2009 3:52 AM CDT

You need original material Jamerican

godawgs

Aug 6, 2009 6:35 AM CDT

@ec i was unaware that china was solicaist. i do agree that they have a vested interest in our economy since they own a large part of ti and we buy most many of our products from them. good point and thanks for setting me straight.

emptycalm

Aug 6, 2009 3:45 AM CDT

@godawgs I think china is a bit too invested in our economy and I'm sure they have no intention of fighting our military. we can offer them so much more than NK. Also, China is a socialist govt while NK is completely fascist under a guise of forced communism.

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New York Times (Source Grid »)

Politics • World

North Korea • diplomacy • nuclear weapons • Burma • Kim Jong Il • Nicholas Kristof • nuclear transfer • Euna Lee • Laura Ling

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