(VOVworld) – The situation on the Korean peninsula is tense, as usual, following new sanctions against North Korea in response to its recent nuclear test and missile launch. Anh Huyen comments on the sanctions and possible ways to ease the tension.
South Korea on Tuesday unleashed a wave of sanctions against North Korea that includes banning ships that have visited North Korean ports in the past 180 days from its waters. South Korea also blacklisted 38 North Korean officials, 2 foreigners, and 30 organizations involved in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. South Korean citizens abroad have been warned not to visit North Korean restaurants and South Korea has officially halted the “Nanjin-Khasan” cooperative project with Russia and North Korea.
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| The UN Security Council has passed four resolutions against North Korea after the country carried out its first atomic test in 2006. |
Expected reaction
Faced with sanctions and responding to a joint military drills by the US and South Korea, North Korea warned that it might use chemical weapons. It has rejected the UN sanctions and strengthened its arsenals, saying it is ready to deploy nuclear weapons and ready for a preemptive attack.
International observers say it’s not the first time North Korea has reacted negatively to a UN Security Council resolution. The UNSC imposed sanctions on North Korea in 2006, 2009, and 2013. But this year North Korea is reacting to the toughest sanctions ever. The new sanctions include mandatory inspections of cargo leaving and entering North Korea by land, sea or air; a ban on the export of coal, gold, titanium, rare earth, and all imports of aviation fuel. These measures are aimed crippling North Korea’s missile programs.
What can bring North Korea back to the negotiation table?
The public has doubts about the UNSC sanctions. 4 resolutions and increasingly tougher sanctions issued since 2006 have not eased tensions on the Korean peninsula nor persuaded North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.
It is hoped the new UN sanctions will bring North Korea back to the negotiation table. China, which has usually refused to vote on resolutions against North Korea, has cooperated with the US on issuing the new sanctions. Both countries agree that North Korea must not develop nuclear weapons and must return to the negotiation table. Beijing has imposed sanctions on North Korea, including blacklisting a number of North Korean ships.
China signing the new sanctions is a positive sign for resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. Beijing has a great influence on Pyongyang, particularly economically. Analysts say Beijing will play the decisive role in achieving a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.