DPRK's missile tests
The war cry from the North Korean leader is very disconcerting. It is regrettable that Kim Jong-un chooses to up the ante with every passing week by missile tests, 13 in all so far this year, in what could best be described as thumbing his nose to the rest of the world. The two recent tests have seen the missiles traverse the skies of Japan. And although Trump has toned down a bit from his "fire and fury" position, talks of military option add to the worry.
While the North Korean potential for precipitated action poses an existential threat to Japan and South Korea, the ratcheted up tension and rhetoric have the potential to engulf the entire region and indeed the world into a wider conflagration.
While hoping that saner counsel would prevail, we insist that the parties dedicate all efforts to reduce the tension and eliminate the prospect of a future conflict through a cool-headed approach. The reality has to be acknowledged. Much as one might resent the fact, North Korea has acquired nuclear weapons, and there are perhaps very limited options for the rest of the world to attenuate the threat potentials of North Korea. Certainly, a war should not be on the list. The crux of the matter is how to deal with a North Korea that has developed nuclear warheads and is on the way to perfecting the delivery system.
Nuclear weapons are the greatest threat to humanity. And whatever may be the compulsion or motivation for a country to acquire the weapon, these countries should recognise that nuclear clouds are no respecter of international borders. Now is as important a time as any to work towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons from the face of the earth.
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